Anshuman Gaekwad Passes Away at 71

Former Indian cricketer and coach Anshuman Gaekwad passed away at the age of 71 after battling blood cancer. Gaekwad played 40 Tests and 15 ODIs for India, scoring two Test centuries, including a double century against Pakistan in 1983. He was known for his bravery on the field, often facing fearsome bowlers without a helmet. Gaekwad also served as India's head coach, leading the team during significant moments including the 2000 ICC Champions Trophy. Tributes poured in from the cricketing community, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Sunil Gavaskar, and Jay Shah among those expressing their condolences. The BCCI had earlier provided financial assistance for his treatment after appeals from fellow cricketers like Kapil Dev and Sandeep Patil.