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‘Pained’: BCCI secretary, president on Sudhir Naik's passing away
Naik was admitted to Hinduja Hospital’s ICU last week after suffering a fall inside his residence in Dadar, where he lived alone.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) expressed its profound grief at the sad demise of Sudhir Naik. The former India opener passed away in Mumbai on Wednesday. Naik, 78, played three Tests and two ODIs for India. It was Naik, who hit the first four for India in ODIs in England in 1974 at Headingley, Leeds.
Naik was admitted to Hinduja Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit last week after suffering a fall inside his residence in Dadar, where he lived alone after his wife passed away a few years back.
A Mumbai stalwart who donned different hats and carried out various responsibilities, Naik, famously led a depleted Mumbai to Ranji Trophy triumph in 1971 when the likes of Sunil Gavaskar, Ajit Wadekar, Dilip Sardesai and Ashok Mankad were creating history in the Caribbean. He played 85 first-class games and scored 4376 runs, including a top score of 200 not out.
Post his playing days, Naik played an ever-bigger role in Mumbai. Managing the affairs of the National Cricket Club, he was instrumental in shaping and nurturing the careers of Zaheer Khan, Wasim Jaffer and Nilesh Kulkarni, apart from a number of players who went on to play for Mumbai. A long-time chief curator of the Wankhede Stadium, Naik is also credited for getting the stadium ready for the ICC World Cup 2011.
“He was someone who guided me. During my first conversation with him, he told me, ‘I will play you in all the A Division games’, which I had no clue about as I had just come from Srirampur to Mumbai. He was eager to see how the future was going to evolve for me, and that was something very special. I just followed his cue,” Zaheer Khan said.
Mr Roger Binny, President, BCCI: “We are deeply saddened by the sad demise of Shri Sudhir Naik. His solid contribution - across decades – towards the game shall inspire everyone who wants to take up the sport. The BCCI prays for the departed soul and shares the grief of the family.”
Mr Jay Shah, Honorary Secretary, BCCI: “I am pained to learn of the passing of Shri Sudhir Naik. This is a big loss and I express my condolences to his family, friends and everyone at the Mumbai Cricket Association. Shri Naik was really passionate and served the game in various capacities be it as a cricketer, coach, curator or administrator. He had a keen eye for talent and helped shape the careers of many cricketers.”
