It’s very sad to hear that Rajbhai is no more. Indian cricket has lost one of its greatest statesmen and administrators. I will always remember him very fondly.
It’s very sad to hear that Rajbhai is no more. Indian cricket has lost one of its greatest statesmen and administrators. I will always remember him very fondly. He was a kind-hearted man and would never do anything that would harm the game.
I have always maintained very good relations with him right through my career — from my early days till now. He always had the best interest of the players and the game in mind and never once did he take a decision that would harm cricket.
Cricket was in his blood. He was also a fine reader of the game and I have had many discussions with him about cricket over the years and never has he failed to be insightful. The fact that he held England’s Peter May as the finest batsman he has seen shows his depth of knowledge of the game.
It will be difficult for cricket to find another administrator like him. Whether it was with the BCCI or the Cricket Club of India he did an excellent job of promoting the game and encouraging players who were talented and deserving.
Rajbhai will always have a special place in my heart. He was one of the two people, the other being Kapil Dev, who stood by me and spoke in my favour when I was going through difficult times. His support meant a lot to me.
It was when he was the chairman of the selectors that I was made skipper. It was Rajbhai who famously asked me: ‘Miya, captain banoge?’ It was in Bangalore that he first asked me if I would like to lead the side. He placed a lot of trust in me and my game and it was very encouraging for me as a cricketer. He treated and loved me like I was his son. Over the years he has always been kind to me and has understood me. I will miss him a lot.
—
As told to Nihal Koshie
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