BCCI offers condolence on Madhav Mantri`s demise

New Delhi: The BCCI on Friday offered its condolences on the demise of India`s oldest Test cricketer Madhav Mantri, who was the maternal uncle of former captain and legendary batsman Sunil Gavaskar.

"Mr. Madhav Mantri`s demise is a big loss to Indian cricket. A wicketkeeper-batsman, he represented India and Mumbai with distinction. He was a member of the national selection committee from 1964 to 1968, and served the BCCI as Treasurer from 1990 to 1992," BCCI Secretary Sanjay Patel said in a statement. "He was Manager of the Indian team that toured England in 1990. Indian cricket will be indebted to him. Several cricketers, from Sunil Gavaskar to Sachin Tendulkar, had the privilege of being guided by him in their formative years. On behalf of the BCCI, I express my condolences to his family and admirers. May his soul rest in peace," he added. Mantri passed away in Mumbai early this morning in a local hospital due to old age complications. He was 92 and died a bachelor. Mantri was a wicket-keeper-batsman, who played only four Test matches, one in India (1951), two in England (1952) and his last in Dhaka (1954-55 in the then East Pakistan), compiling 63 runs and accounting for 8 catches and a stumping. His most impressive performance with the bat in Tests was a 75-run partnership. He made 39 and also put on as opener with Pankaj Roy in the first Test in England on the disastrous 1952 tour in which India lost all four games. Mantri was also a former national selection committee member - between 1964-65 and 1967-68 when Dutta Ray was the chairman - and also accompanied the Indian team as manager to England in 1990 when the team was led by Mohammed Azharuddin. He was also a former chairman of Saraswat Bank.