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Imperfection has its personal attraction as Chetan Chauhan would say about that elusive Test hundred which he so genuinely-earned however had no regrets lacking. Chetendra Pratap Singh Chauhan, who breathed his final at 73 on Sunday after battling Covid-19, was a really safe man and most likely somebody whose greatest power was understanding about limitations, one thing that he believed helped him as an administrator and politician later in life.
Also Read | Former India cricketer Chetan Chauhan passes away because of Covid-19
When requested how he felt getting out 9 instances between 80 and 97, he would snort playfully with a cup of tea in his fingers watching one other considered one of Delhi’s Ranji Trophy video games on the Feroz Shah Kotla.
“It was destiny probably but I have seen people being more disappointed about that hundred than me. I have no regrets. I have played 40 Tests for India and was Sunil Gavaskar’s opening partner,” he would say proudly.
For a era that didn’t watch Chauhan, he was one of many first Indian worldwide cricketers to put on a helmet which he believed helped his sport. A powerful back-foot participant, who may trip the bounce, Chauhan’s most interesting part was between 1977 to 1981 when he was an everyday with Gavaskar on the prime of the order.
Also Read | BCCI expresses grief on Chetan Chauhan’s loss of life
Yet probably the most endearing reminiscence for all YouTubers can be how Gavaskar known as him to go away the bottom in Melbourne after being sad with Dennis Lillee’s boorish behaviour throughout India’s well-known victory.
Was Gavaskar out or not out sir? Journalists would usually ask him and he would begin laughing. But throughout quite a few interactions with him, what stood out was his reverence for his opening companion and his greatness.
“Sunny bahot bada batsman thaa. Tum bacchon ko koi idea nahi hain. Humse pucho. 2000 run karne mein kitne Ghode kholne pade aur uske 10 hazar run the (Sunny was a big player. Imagine how difficult it was for us to score even 2000 and he scored 10,000),” stated the person, who held his personal in opposition to Bob Willis, Mike Hendricks and Ian Botham on the Oval in 1979, was incredible in opposition to Lillee, Len Pascoe and Rodney Hogg on bouncy Australian tracks.
He by no means believed in beating across the bush when he spoke about Indian cricket or for that matter Delhi cricket. The journalists, who lined Delhi cricket, beloved him. Not as a result of he was accessible for a touch upon any cricketing concern however the superb tales he would inform.
“Bahot bekaar players bhi 70s aur 80s mein khel gayein hain India ke liye,” he as soon as stated standing at Roshanara floor.
He gave a listing and then stated I hope nobody is recording something. “Tum sab apne bache ho,” he would say smilingly.
Chauhan sir, as he was known as, may very well be extremely humorous with out even making an attempt. Sample this. One journalist as soon as requested him, “Sir, who is the worst first-class cricketer to have played Ranji Trophy in the last 50 years?”
There was a large grin and then got here the clincher. “Bataoonga par kahin pe quote toh nahi karogey na?” Everyone promised and he spelt out a reputation, a really well-known administrator in later years.
But Chauhan wasn’t simply enjoyable. He was a critical man who dealt with cricket in probably the most troublesome and arguably probably the most corrupt state physique below the aegis of BCCI – Delhi and Districts Cricket Association (DDCA). And he had a bunch of superstars to deal with. Once Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag have been executed with their India days, it wasn’t a straightforward job to deal with the 2 stars however Chauhan managed that with elan.
There can be instances when his contemporaries from Indian and Delhi cricket would rip him to shreds on DDCA issues however hardly would he lose his cool. Politics and time spent in Parliament as an MP made him affected person and at one degree thick-skinned which is important for administration.
He had concern primarily based public distinction of opinion with Gambhir on Navdeep Saini’s choice within the Delhi crew and each have been appropriate. Chauhan glided by the guide, Gambhir by feelings. Then as soon as he was made chairman of the National Institute of Fashion Technology, a political appointment that drew criticism and in one of many trend pages, he was ridiculed utilizing an image of him in a cowboy hat and captioned “Shikari Shambhoo”.
The subsequent day he wasn’t indignant however tried to clarify that his submit just isn’t about understanding trend however clearing cheques and placing administration so as.
“Kya bolun, they don’t even understand,” he stated.
The lasting image of Chauhan would him clad in a observe swimsuit at 8:30 am on any chilly December morning, strolling right down to the pitch, speaking to groundsmen, strolling a number of extra laps, going the fitness center, spending an hour, earlier than turning into formals to look at the match.
Kotla will miss Chetan Chauhan.
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