Former India Test Opener Madhav Apte Passes Away

Madhav Apte played seven Tests in which he scored 542 runs, with a lone hundred and three fifties to his credit.

(Photo: The Quint)

Veteran cricketer Madhav Apte died after suffering a cardiac arrest in Mumbai on Monday morning. He was 86.

The former India and Mumbai opener was admitted to the Breach Candy Hospital where he breathed his last at 6:09 AM.

Madhav Apte played seven Tests in which he scored 542 runs, with a lone hundred and three fifties to his credit. His highest score was 163 not out.

He had a much better first class record where he scored 3,336 runs from 67 matches, including six hundreds and 16 fifties. His highest first class score was 165 not out.

He made his Test debut against Pakistan at the Cricket Club of India (CCI) in Mumbai in November 1952 and played his last test against West Indies at Kingston in April 1953.

In his debut Test, he made 30 and 10 not out, respectively. He was the first Indian opener to aggregate over 400 runs in a Test series (460 runs against West Indies in 1953).

He also captained Mumbai in domestic cricket. Madhav Apte was assigned as the opening batsman by legendary Vinoo Mankad. He played along with several legendary cricketers, including Mankad, Polly Umrigar, Vijay Hazare and Rusi Modi.

He earlier also served as president of the iconic CCI, an official said.

Till his last breath, he was president of the 'Legends Club', a group formed to celebrate the achievements of different sportspersons.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) offered condolences on the death of Apte.

“He (Madhav Apte) will remain one of the most loved cricketers and the BCCI extends its deepest condolences to his family and friends in this hour of grief.”

BCCI statement

"Apte continued to be a dominant force in first-class cricket playing for Mumbai both as a batsman and captain. He finished with 67 first-class games with 3336 runs at an average of 38.79 that included six centuries and sixteen half centuries," the BCCI statement read.

After retirement, Apte became president of the Cricket Club of India in Mumbai and was instrumental in bringing in a 14-year old Sachin Tendulkar into the CCI side then.