Affable Jaywant Lele dies of cardiac arrest

Former secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Jaywant Yashwant Lele, died of cardiac arrest in Vadodara on Thursday night. He was 75. Lele is survived by his wife, a son and a daughter.

Lele was secretary of the BCCI from 1997 to 2001 during which period the match-fixing scandal surfaced. The affable Vadodara-based administrator had not been keeping well for the past few days as he was suffering from a viral infection. And, on Thursday night, he collapsed in the bathroom and died around 11.30pm.

“Last evening, I was at his house and spent quality time with him. He looked weak but never short of spirit. So, it was shocking for me when I got the news,” said Kiran More, former Test wicket-keeper, who took over as Baroda Cricket Association (BCA) secretary from Lele.

An able administrator who was unafraid to speak his mind, the diminutive Lele would be remembered for rightly predicting the Indian team losing to Australia 0-3 in the 1999-2000 Test series Down Under, though it was said at a private talk.

Lele was also known for his thorough knowledge of the BCCI constitution and its functioning, having served first as its joint secretary and then its secretary. Lele was also much sought after during the recent BCCI emergency working committee meeting in the aftermath of the IPL spot-fixing allegations for his views on the BCCI’s functioning.

According to More, Lele was like a father figure to all players. And, to honour him, Baroda cricketers felicitated him last Sunday on his 75th birthday (he was born on September 13, 1938).

“It was a great evening. He talked about cricket and the future of Baroda. He had given his heart and soul to Baroda cricket. It would be difficult to replace him. He was a man with a great vision. He was always there for players, on and off the ground,” said More.

Lele’s association with Moti Baug (where Baroda Cricket Association is housed) was for over five decades.

Another long-time administrator and friend from the neighbouring Saurashtra, Niranjan Shah, was at loss of words on hearing the news of Lele’s sudden demise. Lele lost his post of secretary to Shah.

“He was a good friend and an extraordinary person. He led a very simple life and was a capable administrator who had a long innings, first as joint secretary of the BCCI and then as the secretary,” Shah said. “He can be funny sometimes but his opinions were frank. He spoke straight from the heart.”

Former India opener Anshuman Gaekwad said, “What Lele did for cricket, no present administrator can do. He did itselflessly, without any expectations.
Whenever the junior and senior teams of Baroda travelled, Lele was always present at the railway station.This happened even after he became BCCI secretary. That was his commitment level. Will any of the present administrator do that?”

Lele’s last rites were performed on Friday morning. His funeral was attended by many past and present players, including Gaekwad, Nayan Mongia, Irfan Pathan and, of course, More.  BCA president Chirayu Amin, who ousted Lele alleging financial irregularities a decade ago, also attended the funeral.

Lele at the helm
1960: Entered Baroda Cricket Association (BCA)

1963: Became BCA managing committee member

1970: Became BCA secretary

1990: Elected BCCI joint secretary

1996: Took over post of BCCI secretary

He was also a qualified umpire