Former India opener, coach and selector Aunshuman Gaekwad passed away in Vadodara on Wednesday. He was 71 and was suffering from blood cancer.

Gaekwad, fondly called Charlie by his teammates, had undergone treatment at London’s King’s College Hospital in April before returning home a couple of months ago. He is survived by his son Shatrunjay.

He played 40 Tests accumulating 1985 runs between 1975 and 1985. His highest score of 201 came against Pakistan. He also featured in 15 ODIs scoring 269 runs.

Sunil Gavaskar termed Gaekwad as one of the three “bravest cricketers” he had played with. The other two were Eknath Solkar and Mohinder Amarnath.

The BCCI earlier this month woke up to repeated calls seeking financial help for Gaekwad’s treatment and decided to release Rs 1 crore.

The 1983 World Cup-winning players had also come forward to help the ailing cricketer.

In the pre-helmet era of the Seventies, Gaekwad was the epitome of grit and courage. He is most remembered for his daring 81 at Sabina Park in the first innings of the Kingston, Jamaica, Test against a fiery attack led by Michael Holding before a nasty blow on his ear forced him to retire hurt.

Gaekwad was India coach from October 1997 to September 1999. It was during his tenure that Anil Kumble took all ten wickets in an innings against Pakistan at the Kotla in 1999.

Gaekwad was awarded the CK Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award, the highest honour conferred by the BCCI, in June 2018.