Former India cricketer VB Chandrasekhar dies at 57

TN cricketer is suspected to have committed suicide

Former India opener and national selector VB Chandrasekhar passed away in Chennai on Thursday.

Though initial reports said he suffered a cardiac arrest, police sources said the cricketer is understood to have committed suicide due to financial reasons. His body was moved to Government Royapettah Hospital and is likely to undergo autopsy.

The dashing Tamil Nadu left-hander of yesteryears, who was only six days short of his 58th birthday, is survived by his wife and two daughters.

Chandrasekhar played seven ODIs between 1988 and 1990, scoring only 88 runs, but at the domestic level he was prolific, 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 of WV Raman, Diwakar Vasu, Laxman Sivaramakrishnan and Bharath Arun.

Till a few seasons back, he held the record for the fastest hundred in the Ranji Trophy -- 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, he was later a national selector when Greg Chappell was the coach and in his later years, he 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 a memory I would always cherish,” former India stumper Deep Dasgupta told PTI.

“His passion was unmatched and I know he used to spend a lot from his own pocket in running a team in the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) known as VB Kanchi Veterans. 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 & believed in us since the very beginning,” Raina Tweeted.

India and CSK off-spinner Harbhajan Singh also expressed his sadness.

“Very shocking to hear VB Chandrasekhar Indian cricketer is no more.. very sad news .. very young to go.. rest in peace VB.. Big loss.,” Harbhajan wrote on his Twitter handle.