New Delhi: Former India opener and national selector VB Chandrasekhar passed away in Chennai late night Thursday following a massive cardiac arrest. However, Tamil Nadu police have said that it can be a case of suicide. They have been quoted as saying that VB Chandrasekhar was found hanging in a room of his house.
VB Chandrasekhar, the dashing Tamil Nadu right-hander of yesteryears, who was only six days short of his 58th birthday, is survived by his wife and two daughters.
VB Chandrasekhar played seven ODIs between 1988 and 1990, scoring only 88 runs, but at the domestic level he was prolific for a few seasons, aggregating 4999 runs in 81 games with a highest score of 237 not out.
A qualified engineer, Chandrasekhar made his first-class debut at the age of 25 and played in a formidable Tamil Nadu team, which comprised WV Raman, Diwakar Vasu, Laxman Sivaramakrishnan and Bharath Arun.
Till a few seasons back, he held the record for the fastest hundred in first class cricket (four and five-day games) – a 56-ball ton for Tamil Nadu against Rest of India in an Irani Cup game – that brought him into national reckoning.
Unfortunately, his technique was found out during a tri-series in New Zealand in 1990, ensuring that he never played for India again.
An astute reader of the game, Chnadrasekhar was later a national selector when Greg Chappell was the coach and in his later years also did commentary in domestic cricket.
“I have done two years of commentary with him and I can vouch that I became better simply interacting with him. His game reading, grip on technical aspects was mind blowing and it is memory I would always cherish,” former India stumper Deep Dasgupta told this agency.
“His passion was unmatched and I know he used to spend a lot from his own pocket in a running a team in the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) known as VB Kanchi Veerans. It will take some time for this tragic news to sink in,” said Dasgupta.
India and Chennai Super Kings player Suresh Raina condoled the death of Chandrasekhar.
“Extremely sad & shocked to hear about the passing away of VB Chandrasekhar sir. His consistent efforts made it possible to set the right foundation of the CSK team. He always encouraged and believed in us since very beginning. My deepest condolences to the family,” Raina tweeted.
India and CSK off-spinner Harbhajan Singh also expressed his sadness. “Very shocking to hear VB Chandrashekhar Indian cricketer is no more. Very sad news .. very young to go.. rest in peace VB.. Big loss. Condolences to the family,” Harbhajan wrote on his Twitter handle.
Former India opener Aakash Chopra expressed shock at Chandrasekhar’s death. “Shocked to hear about the untimely demise of VB Chandrasekhar. Was only 57. Went away too soon. Thoughts with the family… heartfelt condolences. RIP,” tweeted Chopra.
However, the police in Chennai have been quoted as saying that they assume Chandrasekhar may have committed suicide due to financial burdens.
“Financial liabilities appear to be the reason,” a senior police officer was quoted as saying by ‘NDTV’. No suicide note has been recovered and the investigation is on. The investigators say that the financial burden could be connected to the Kanchi Veerans, the Tamil Nadu Premier League team owned by the former cricketer.
Agencies
