Former India cricketer Sudhir Naik passes away after brief illness, aged 78

Former India opener Sudhir Naik passed away in a Mumbai hospital on 05 April after a brief illness, confirmed the Mumbai Cricket Association.

Naik who played three Tests and two ODIs for India between 1974 and 1975, was in the intensive care unit of a city hospital after sustaining a head injury at his Mumbai residence on March 24.

The veteran cricketer was immensely respected in the Mumbai cricket circle as well for his 1970-71 Ranji Trophy triumph.

It was under Naik’s leadership that Mumbai won the Trophy that season without the likes of seasoned players Sunil Gavaskar, Ajit Wadekar, Dilip Sardesai, or Ashok Mankad.

In the late 90s, Naik took a young Zaheer Khan under his wings and provided him with requisite exposure honing his skills to produce one of India’s best pacers.

He was also a chairman of Mumbai selection committee and in later years worked as a curator of Wankhede Stadium free of cost.

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