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 Former captain Vijay Hazare dead
 Varodara, Dec 18: Former captain Vijay Hazare, who led India to its first-ever Test win, died today following prolonged illness, family sources said here today. Hazare, 89, was suffering from intestinal cancer and breathed his last this afternoon at a private clinic where he was kept on life support system for the past couple of days, his son Ranjeet said. Considered as one of India's finest batsmen ever, Hazare played at the highest level for six years - between 1946 and 52 - during which he represented the country in 30 Tests, scoring 2,192 runs at an impressive average of 47.65 runs.
He scored seven centuries - two of them coming in the same match against Australia at Adelaide in 1947-48, and two more in his first two matches as captain, against England in 1951. An effective right-arm medium pacer, Hazare captured 20 wickets at 61 run apiece. Born on March 11, 1915, in Sangli, Maharashtra, Hazare played for Maharashtra, Central India and Baroda in the domestic circuit. He had a fabulous first-class career record averaging 58.38. He amassed 18,740 runs in 238 matches that included 60 centuries.
The highlight of Hazare's first class career was the two triple centuries he scored, 316 not out and 309 - the 309 being more memorable since it came out of the side's total score of 387. His wicket-taking abilities got him a whopping 595 wickets in first-class matches at an average of 24.61. The man, immensely talented with the bat, however, only had moderate success as captain of the Indian team. In the 14 matches he captained, India won just one Test - against England - while losing five. The remaining eight matches ended in draws.
The legendary batsman's wife, daughter and friend were present when the end came today. Hazare was chairman of the Indian Cricket Committee in 1960 when Nari Contractor was the captain of the Indian team. The Cricket Club of India had recently honoured him a lifetime achievement award comprising Rs 25,000. (Agencies)
Published: Saturday, December 18, 2004
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India in Bangladesh
