Former India opener Chetan Chauhan, who was also an incumbent cabinet minister in Uttar Pradesh government, passed away on Sunday due to COVID-19. He was 73.
Chauhan is the second Uttar Pradesh minister who died due to the pandemic. Earlier this month, Kamal Rani Varun, who was serving as the minister of technical education in the state government, passed away after developing complications. She had tested positive for the disease.
Chauhan, who was admitted to Medanta in Gurugram, had developed multi-organ failure. He was admitted at the Sanjay Gandhi PGI Hospital in Lucknow after testing COVID-19 positive on July 12. Chauhan was shifted to Medanta after his health condition worsened.
He is is survived by his wife and son Vinayak, who is scheduled to arrive from Melbourne later in the day.
His brother Pushpendra Chauhan told news agency PTI: “My elder brother Shri Chetan Chauhan has left us today after fighting a good battle. I sincerely thank everyone who had prayed for his recovery. His son Vinayak will be reaching anytime and we will then perform last rites”
Chauhan, who had played 40 Tests for India, had been legendary Sunil Gavaskar’s longest serving opening partner.
He has served the Delhi & Districts Cricket Association (DDCA) in various capacities—president, vice-president, secretary and chief selector— apart from being manager of the Indian Team during their tour of Australia.