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Former India opener Sunil Gavaskar stated that his bond with former opening partner Anshuman Gaekwad would remain intact despite the latter's death. Gavaskar added that he was aware of Gaekwad's illness, but was hopeful of his recovery.
Gavaskar, along with former India captain Kapil Dev and BCCI secretary Jay Shah, among others, attended a prayer meeting organized in memory of Gaekwad in Vadodara on Thursday, August 8. Speaking after the prayer meeting, Gavaskar told reporters (as quoted by news agency PTI):
"He was my friend as well as (batting) opening partner. A day before any match, we used to sit and discuss how to tackle fast bowlers. That's how we became friends from being partners. My connection with him will always remain intact despite his demise. I knew he was not well. But, I was hopeful he would recover."
Gaekwad was suffering from blood cancer and passed away in a private hospital in Vadodara on July 31 at the age of 71. Before that, he was in London for his treatment. His funeral was attended by BCCI president Roger Binny, former wicket-keepers Nayan Mogia and Kiran More, and some former and present office-bearers of the Baroda Cricket Association.
Anshuman Gaekwad's association with cricket
Gaekwad represented India in 40 Test matches, scoring 1985 runs at an average of 30.07, with two hundreds and 10 half-centuries. His best of 201 came against Pakistan in Jalandhar in September 1983. Gaekwad's only other Test hundred was registered against West Indies in Kanpur in February 1979 when he scored 102.
He also featured in 15 one-day matches, scoring 269 runs at an average of 20.69. His only half-century in the format came when he hit an unbeaten 78 against Pakistan in Sahiwal in November 1978. Gaekwad had a decorated first-class career in which he amassed 12136 runs and claimed 143 wickets.
Post-retirement, he served as a selector and coach. The former cricketer was the coach of the Indian team that finished runners-up in the 2000 ICC Champions Trophy in Nairobi, going down to New Zealand in the final.
