Mumbai: Former veteran cricketer Madhav Apte died here on Monday morning due to a heart attack. Apte's family member gave this information. He was 86 years old.
Former opener Madhav Apte was admitted to Breach Candy Hospital where he breathed his last at 6.9 am. His son Vaman Apte gave this information to PTI.
Madhav Apte scored 542 runs for India in seven Tests with the help of one century and three half-centuries. His top score was 163 not out. In the first division, Madhav Apte scored 3336 runs in 67 matches with six centuries and 16 half-centuries. His top score in first-class cricket was 165 not out.
Madhav Apte made his Test debut against Pakistan in November 1952 at the Cricket Club of India and played his last Test in April 1953 against the West Indies at Kingston. He played 30 and unbeaten 10 innings in his debut Test. He was the first Indian opener to score more than 400 runs in a Test series. He achieved this feat by scoring 460 runs in 1953 against the West Indies.
Madhav Apte was given the role of opener by another veteran batsman Vinoo Mankad. He later became the captain of Mumbai in the domestic cricket. He played with legendary players like Mankad, Polly Umrigar, Vijay Hazare and Russian Modi during his career. He was also the President of the prestigious CCI.
BCCI mourns the death of Madhav Apte
The Cricket Board of India (BCCI) on Monday mourned the death of former India opener Madhav Apte, saying that he will be remembered as one of the most loved cricketers in the country. Apte died of a heart attack in Mumbai on Monday morning. He was 86 years old.
"He will remain one of the most loved cricketers and BCCI expresses condolences to his family and friends in this time of grief," the BCCI said in a statement. Apte played seven Tests for India, five of which he played against West Indies on his own land.
In these seven Tests, he scored 542 runs at an excellent average of 49 .27. He scored one century and three half-centuries during this period. Apte scored his career-best innings of 163 against the West Indies. BCCI said, 'Apte dominated first class cricket as a captain and player while playing for Mumbai. He scored 3336 runs in 67 first class matches at an average of 38 .79 with the help of six centuries and 16 half-centuries.
After retirement, Apte became the president of the Cricket Club of India in Mumbai and played a key role in bringing 14-year-old Sachin Tendulkar into the CCI team.
