Anil Kapoor mourns former cricketer Chetan Chauhan's death, says 'will always remember...'

One of Indian cricket's most well-known batsmen without an international hundred, former opener Chetan Chauhan died on Sunday due to COVID-19 related complications after being put on life support for nearly 36 hours. Chauhan, who was 73, was serving as the Minister of Sainik Welfare, Home Guards, and Civil Security in the Uttar Pradesh cabinet. He is survived by his wife and son Vinayak.

Mourning Chauhan's death, Bollywood actor Anil Kapoor took to his social media handle and wrote, "Deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Chetan Chauhan. I’ll always remember watching him play live." [sic]

Deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Chetan Chauhan. I’ll always remember watching him play live.
My heartfelt prayers & condolences to the family. 🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/bfnYj55t7G

— Anil Kapoor (@AnilKapoor)

Chauhan, who was the legendary Sunil Gavaskar's longest-serving opening partner, was admitted to Sanjay Gandhi PGI in Lucknow on July 12 after being tested positive for COVID-19. Due to kidney-related ailments, his health deteriorated and he was shifted to Medanta hospital in Gurugram.

'Irreparable damage to society, govt & sports sector': UP CM mourns Chetan Chauhan's death

On Friday night, he had a multi-organ failure and was put on ventilator support. Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tributes to the veteran BJP member.

"Shri Chetan Chauhan Ji distinguished himself as a wonderful cricketer and later as a diligent political leader. He made effective contributions to public service and strengthening the BJP in UP. Anguished by his passing away," Modi posted on  Twitter.

He was honoured with Arjuna award in 1981. After taking the political plunge, Chauhan was twice elected to the Lok Sabha from Amroha in Uttar Pradesh, in 1991 and 1998.

Chetan Chauhan death: Cricketers, political leaders mourn loss; offer condolences to kin

He is the second UP minister to have succumbed to coronavirus. During his 12-year-long cricket career, Chauhan played 40 Tests scoring 2084 runs with 16 half-centuries and two wickets. He could not ever get a hundred with being 97 his best.

With Gavaskar, Chauhan formed a formidable opening partnership for India and the duo scored more than 3000 runs, including 12 century stands. Having made his first-class debut as a 22-year-old against Mumbai, Chauhan was known to be a brave batsman of his generation.
 

(with PTI inputs)