Raj Singh Dungarpur passed away

Pintu

New Member
Joined
Mar 22, 2009
Messages
12,082
Likes
348
http://www.ptinews.com/news/278199_Former-BCCI-chief-Raj-Singh-dead

Former BCCI chief Raj Singh dead


STAFF WRITER 15:18 HRS IST

Mumbai, Sep 12 (PTI) Former Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) President Raj Singh Dungarpur died in this west Indian city on Saturday following protracted illness.

Affectionately called as 'Rajbhai' in the cricket fraternity, the 73-year-old Dungarpur, who was president of the Cricket Board for three years in the late 1990s, was suffering from Alzheimer's disease.

A bachelor from the Dungarpur royal family of Rajasthan, he was also a former first class cricketer, a former India team manager and ex-chairman of the senior selection panel.

A former President of the Cricket Club of India for 13 years before he took ill last year, Dungarpur died at his residence Saturday morning. .
 

Pintu

New Member
Joined
Mar 22, 2009
Messages
12,082
Likes
348
AFP: Ex-India administrator Dungarpur dies

Ex-India administrator Dungarpur dies

(AFP) – 1 day ago

NEW DELHI — Veteran Indian cricket administrator Raj Singh Dungarpur died on Saturday, aged 73, after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease, the Indian cricket board said.

Dungarpur served Indian cricket as team manager and chief selector, before becoming president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for three years from 1996 to 1998.

It was under Dungarpur's reign as chief selector that Sachin Tendulkar, now the world's most prolific batsman, made his Test debut aged 16 during a tour of Pakistan in 1989.

Dungarpur played first-class cricket between 1955 and 1971 as a medium-pacer, claiming 206 wickets in 86 matches.

He also headed the prestigious Cricket Club of India in Mumbai, which owns the Brabourne stadium, for 13 years before he quit the club last year due to illness.

"It is a great loss to Indian cricket," BCCI president Shahshank Manohar said in a statement.

"He served Indian cricket diligently and with distinction, in several capacities. He was a self-effacing individual who always put the sport, and Indian cricket in particular, above everything else.

"His contribution to Indian cricket for more than 30 years can never be forgotten."
 

Pintu

New Member
Joined
Mar 22, 2009
Messages
12,082
Likes
348
http://www.ptinews.com/news/278405_Punjab-Deputy-CM-condoles-Dungarpur-s-death

Punjab Deputy CM condoles Dungarpur's death

STAFF WRITER 17:18 HRS IST

Chandigarh, Sept 12 (PTI) Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal has expressed profound grief at the demise of former Cricket Board (BCCI) President Raj Singh Dungarpur, who expired at Mumbai today following protracted illness.

In his condolence message, Badal, who is also looking after sports portfolio, said the sports fraternity has lost an able sports administrator, who was responsible for transforming cricket from a "class game to a mass game".

He said Dungarpur's role in hunting and nurturing talents for Indian cricket team from small cities and villages would always be remembered.

Badal said with his progressive policies Dungarpur has put the game of cricket on sound professional base.
 

Pintu

New Member
Joined
Mar 22, 2009
Messages
12,082
Likes
348
http://www.ptinews.com/news/278377_Dalmiya-condoles-demise-of-Dungarpur

Dalmiya condoles demise of Dungarpur

STAFF WRITER 17:5 HRS IST

Kolkata, Sep 12 (PTI) Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) President Jagmohan Dalmiya today condoled the passing away of former BCCI chief Raj Singh Dungarpur describing him as an "institution of cricket".

In a condolence message here, Dalmiya said the void left by the death of Dungarpur would be hard to fill in Indian cricket.

"No one can take away his contribution to Indian cricket.

His association with the game was for fifty years," the former ICC president said.

"In fact, he was an institution of cricket himself. We spent great moments together," added Dalmiya.
 

Pintu

New Member
Joined
Mar 22, 2009
Messages
12,082
Likes
348
http://www.ptinews.com/news/278139_BCCI-Chief-condoles-Dungarpur-s-shocking-death

BCCI Chief condoles Dungarpur's shocking death

STAFF WRITER 14:22 HRS IST

Mumbai, Sep 12 (PTI) The Indian Cricket Board (BCCI) today condoled the demise of its former president Raj Singh Dungarpur here this morning.

Expressing shock, BCCI chief Shashank Manohar said "Dungarpur's contribution to the Indian cricket for more than thirty years can never be forgotten."

"Rajbhai served Indian cricket for more than three decades as an administrator and his contribution to Indian cricket will always be remembered, particularly as the president of the Board," he said in his condolence message.

Dungarpur, who was BCCI president for three years in the late 1990s, was suffering from Alzheimer's disease.
 

Pintu

New Member
Joined
Mar 22, 2009
Messages
12,082
Likes
348
The Telegraph - Calcutta (Kolkata) | Sports | A great loss is mourned

A great loss is mourned

OUR BUREAU & AGENCIES

The International Cricket Council led the way in mourning the death of former Board of Control for Cricket in India president (BCCI), Raj Singh Dungarpur, who passed away on Saturday. The BCCI, former cricketers and former BCCI president Jagmohan Dalmiya also condoled the death of Dungarpur, a respected cricket administrator.

The following are excerpts

ICC: Raj Singh Dungarpur was an extraordinary person with extraordinary talent and ability. He was an institution from which plenty of stars have graduated.

SHASHANK MANOHAR: It is a great loss to Indian cricket. Rajbhai served Indian cricket diligently and with distinction, in several capacities. He always put the sport, and Indian cricket in particular, above everything else.

DILIP VENGSARKAR: I am yet to come across a more passionate cricket lover than Rajbhai who breathed and ate cricket. I was a member of the teams to Pakistan and England (1984-85, 1986) when he was the manager. He was hugely popular in those places, especially at Lord’s, which he used to visit regularly.

BAPU NADKARNI: He was a dear friend of mine and Polly’s (Umrigar). He was crazy about the game and was very helpful to cricketers. The greatest example of it is Salim Durrani. He was the one who helped him (in times of difficulties).

JAGMOHAN DALMIYA: No one can take away his contribution to Indian cricket. He was associated with the game for over 50 years and was an institution in himself. We shared some great moments together and his passing away has left a void which will be difficult to fill.
 

Pintu

New Member
Joined
Mar 22, 2009
Messages
12,082
Likes
348
The Telegraph - Calcutta (Kolkata) | Sports | Elegant raconteur falls silent at 73

Elegant raconteur falls silent at 73
- Raj Singh succumbs to Alzheimer’s in Mumbai, cremation in Dungarpur today


LOKENDRA PRATAP SAHI


Raj Singh Dungarpur

Nowadays, almost all the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)-appointed administrative managers and media managers, the latter being a new breed, do their best to keep the Fourth Estate as far away from the Sachin Tendulkars as possible.

Raj Singh Dungarpur, who passed away in his Mumbai apartment on Saturday morning, at the age of 73, used to be different.

Very different.

Rajbhai, as the scion of Dungarpur royalty was better known across the cricketing world, went out of his way to treat the media as an extension of the Indian cricket team.

So much so, that on the 1984-85 tour of Pakistan (cut short because of Indira Gandhi’s assassination), Rajbhai formed the Sunday Club, a forum for us journalists to mingle with the cricketers in his manager’s suite.

For a young scribe like me, it was a chance to be under the same roof as Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev, albeit for a couple of hours. The Club helped build relationships, encouraged trust and gave the opportunity to clear the air, if required.

Plus, Rajbhai would be the perfect host.

Rajbhai never spoke about it, but it’s learnt he often exceeded the entertainment allowance sanctioned by the BCCI, and paid from his personal funds.

Today, that’s unthinkable.

Indeed, such is the difference that one could even list instances when managers (both administrative and media) have actually misled the Fourth Estate on routine issues.

As for the entertainment allowance bit, almost all spend it either on entertaining themselves and their friends or, perhaps, end up saving those dollars.

Only briefly, after the media splashed Mohinder Amarnath’s memorable “selectors are a bunch of jokers” comment, in November 1988, did a strain develop in Rajbhai’s relationship with journalists.

He was then the chief selector.

So, on a personal level, Rajbhai stopped inviting me to the CCI (in Mumbai) for the superbly done toasted chicken sandwiches and the almost heavenly cold coffee.

That phase, however, didn’t last more than a couple of years. Soon, it was back to “you must drop in for sandwiches and coffee...”

One did, for Rajbhai was a raconteur par excellence and there was always something to learn, especially when he spoke of cricket in the Fifties and Sixties.

Not many may be aware that Rajbhai was himself a pretty accomplished quick and played as many as 86 first-class matches, mostly for Rajasthan.

Even if few remember that, few can forget he was a classy administrator and a chief selector with a difference.

The decisions Rajbhai took, as the chief selector in the 1989-90 season, were far-reaching.

For one, he gave Sachin his break, getting him in the squad for the tour of Pakistan.

“Chotu,” as Rajbhai would refer to Sachin in informal gatherings, is still breaking records!

Then, after that tour, he asked Mohammed Azharuddin “Mian, kaptani karo ge?”

Azhar, now an MP, went on to lead India for six-and-a-half years. He had a second (much shorter) innings as captain too.

Quickly realising that desi coaches lacked that extra edge, Rajbhai (despite opposition from some within the BCCI) got Bobby Simpson as the team’s consultant in the lead up to and during the 1999 World Cup.

He’d then been the BCCI president.

The Simpson move didn’t work, but Rajbhai showed he had vision and didn’t lack courage. Incidentally, he whole-heartedly backed John Wright’s appointment as coach, in late 2000.

Back in 1997-98, Rajbhai had okayed the coming on board of physio Andrew Kokinos. Turned out to be trend-setting.

With good reasons, Rajbhai took pride in the setting up of the National Cricket Academy, in Bangalore. “My dream’s been realised,” he often said, never forgetting to thank successor A.C. Muthiah for extending complete support from the president’s chair.

Not dependent on X or Y for his position within the BCCI and West Zone (as president of the CCI), Rajbhai never quite minced words and, occasionally, in his later years, proved somewhat a loose cannon.

Rajbhai had differences with, among others, Gavaskar and Kapil, Mohinder and Sourav Ganguly, but neither he nor the objects of his disaffection (no more than for short periods, mind you) carried a grudge.

Not even Jagmohan Dalmiya, friend-turned-foe.

It may come as a surprise, but Rajbhai, who’d helped Sharad Pawar end Dalmiya’s clout in the BCCI, did keep in touch with the one-time strongman before Alzheimer’s struck in a big way.

“Mera kisi se lena-dena ya dhandha nahin hai… I don’t have to be seen as being politically correct… I have a mind of my own,” Rajbhai told The Telegraph a couple of years ago, around the time Pawar had really turned the heat on Dalmiya.

“Frankly, I don’t approve of what’s going on in the BCCI, but they don’t want to listen to me… That’s fine with me, but the BCCI should be running cricket, not vendettas,” is what he’d said the last time we had a one-on-one at the CCI.

It’s a shame that those he’d helped come to power chose not to give him the importance he deserved.

But, then, most of those running the show have probably never ever taken guard on a cricket pitch and, as a result, must have been feeling rather uncomfortable.

After all, how much of cricket could they have talked with Rajbhai?

As Sourav put it, speaking exclusively, “we’ve lost someone who ate, slept and lived cricket.”

What of his on-off differences with Rajbhai, going back a decade?

“This isn’t the right time to talk about them… It’s a sad day for Indian cricket, for Rajbhai had been its integral part for a huge number of years,” Sourav replied.

The Dungarpur family, meanwhile, has chartered an aircraft to take Rajbhai’s body to Udaipur on Sunday morning. From there, it will be driven to Dungarpur, for the cremation at a private site.

It will be interesting to see if the BCCI is represented at the funeral of one of its tallest figures.
 

Pintu

New Member
Joined
Mar 22, 2009
Messages
12,082
Likes
348
http://www.ptinews.com/news/278393_-Raj-Singh-s-death-is-great-loss-for-Indian-cricket-

'Raj Singh's death is great loss for Indian cricket'

STAFF WRITER 17:10 HRS IST

Mumbai, Sep 12 (PTI) Condoling the death of his predecessor Raj Singh Dungarpur here today, Cricket Board President Shashank Manohar termed it as a great loss for the game in the country.

"It is a great loss to Indian cricket. Rajbhai served Indian cricket diligently and with distinction, in several capacities. He was a self-effacing individual who always put the sport, and Indian cricket in particular, above everything else," Manohar said in a statement.

BCCI secretary N Srinivasan recalled how Raj Singh, as the chief selector, picked champion batsman Sachin Tendulkar at the tender age of 16 on the tough tour of Pakistan in 1989-90.

"He had several stints as national selector, and headed the All-India Selection Committee in the late 1980s. As chairman, he was instrumental in defying skeptics and picking a 16-year-old boy for India's tour of Pakistan in 1989-90.
 

Pintu

New Member
Joined
Mar 22, 2009
Messages
12,082
Likes
348
Ganguly condoles Dungarpur's death - Top Stories - Cricket - SPORTS - The Times of India

Ganguly condoles Dungarpur's death
PTI 12 September 2009, 06:40pm IST

KOLKATA: Former India captain Sourav Ganguly on Saturday condoled the passing away of former BCCI chief Raj Singh Dungarpur and said his death a loss to country's cricket.

"It is very sad to know that Dungarpur is no more. His death is a loss to the Indian cricket," Ganguly said.

Ganguly said that Dungarpur spent several years of his life for promotion of the game.

"He had made a great contribution to Indian cricket," he said.
 

Pintu

New Member
Joined
Mar 22, 2009
Messages
12,082
Likes
348
Dungarpur, the man who introduced Tendulkar to the world - Top Stories - Cricket - SPORTS - The Times of India

Dungarpur, the man who introduced Tendulkar to the world
PTI 12 September 2009, 05:11pm IST

MUMBAI: Former BCCI president Raj Singh Dungarpur, who died on Saturday at the age of 73 after protracted illness, will be remembered in the history of Indian cricket as the chief selector who introduced Sachin Tendulkar at the international stage.

Affectionately called as 'Rajbhai' in cricket fraternity, Dungarpur headed the selection panel that chose Tendulkar in the team captained by Krish Srikkanth for the tour to Pakistan in 1989-90.

Dungarpur, who died as a bachelor, was also instrumental in amending the rules of the Cricket Club of India to allow Tendulkar to use its dressing room as a 14-year-old in an effort to smoothen things for the champion batsman very early in his glittering career.

It was also a selection panel with Dungarpur at its helm that elevated Mohammed Azharuddin as the captain of the Indian team and paved the way for what he later termed as the "Team of the Nineties" which included Tendulkar and Anil Kumble, among others.

"Mian, captaan banoage," were the famous words he uttered to Azharuddin before making the Hyderabad stylist the captain as replacement for out-of-form Srikkanth in 1989-90 when India toured New Zealand.
 

Pintu

New Member
Joined
Mar 22, 2009
Messages
12,082
Likes
348
Shaharyar remembers old friend Dungarpur - Top Stories - Cricket - SPORTS - The Times of India

Shaharyar remembers old friend Dungarpur
PTI 12 September 2009, 08:00pm IST

KARACHI: Former PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan on Saturday paid rich tributes to deceased cricket administrator Raj Singh Dungarpur, saying that he was instrumental in revival of cricket ties between India and Pakistan.

Dungarpur, the former BCCI President passed away this morning in Mumbai after losing a long bout with illness.

"He was one of the finest human beings and persons I have known. And he was the one who was very instrumental in revival of cricket ties between the two countries when Sharad Pawar came to power," Shaharyar told PTI.

"Raj Singh gave Pawar positive advise on cricket ties with Pakistan," Shaharyar added.

Shaharyar suggested that a cricket series involving India and Pakistan should be named after Dungarpur.

"Given the sort of role he played in removing doubts and encouraging Indo-Pak cricket relations certainly he deserves this token of appreciation from both the Boards," he said.

Shaharyar recalled that after Pakistan were beaten by India in the 2003 World Cup, Dungarpur came to him and made some suggestions.

"He told me that Pakistan team was not performing as it had four captains and only that team could perform which had one captain. And he was right because then we had Wasim Akram, Rashid Latif, Saeed Anwar all former captains besides the then captain, Waqar Younis in the team," he said.
 

Pintu

New Member
Joined
Mar 22, 2009
Messages
12,082
Likes
348
http://www.ptinews.com/news/278690_Dungarpur-s-death-is-great-loss-for-cricket--Lele

Dungarpur's death is great loss for cricket: Lele

STAFF WRITER 20:12 HRS IST

Vadodara, Sep 12 (PTI) Indian cricket has suffered a great loss in Raj Singh Dungarpur's death, Jaywant Lele today said while recalling his close association with him during their tenure in the BCCI.

"There was perfect chemistry when I was secretary and he was president between 1997 and 99 though he operated from Mumbai and I was in Vadodara," Lele told PTI.

Lele described Dungarpur as a down-to-earth person.

"Rajbhai was down-to-earth and a strict disciplinarian. He used to remain in constant touch with me every day to discuss all necessary matters," he said.

"He had perfect knowledge of cricket and had been manager of the Indian cricket team on the tours to Pakistan and England," the former Board official said.

As president, Dungarpur never interfered in the selection of the team and as a selector he was dot on in picking up the right talent, Lele asserted.
 

Pintu

New Member
Joined
Mar 22, 2009
Messages
12,082
Likes
348
http://www.ptinews.com/news/278741_Advani-condoles-demise-of-Dungarpur

Advani condoles demise of Dungarpur

STAFF WRITER 20:49 HRS IST

New Delhi, Sep 12 (PTI) Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha L K Advani today condoled the demise of Former BCCI President Raj Singh Dungarpur, saying he would be remembered for his contribution as a first class cricketer.

He said the passing away of 'Rajbhai' is a great loss to the Indian cricket. "I spoke to Jahnavi Dungapur, his niece, this morning and conveyed my condolences to the family."

"Shri Dungarpur's passion for cricket was well known.

He will always be remembered for his contribution to the Indian cricket as a first-class player and an able administrator," the BJP leader said.

Advani said Dungarpur was also credited with the selection of young Sachin Tendulkar, who has grown to become a legend.

73-year-old Dungarpur died in Mumbai following a protracted illness.
 

Pintu

New Member
Joined
Mar 22, 2009
Messages
12,082
Likes
348
This should not happen ........

Mumbai forgets Dungarpur on his death - Top Stories - Cricket - SPORTS - The Times of India

Mumbai forgets Dungarpur on his death

Vinay Nayudu, TNN 13 September 2009, 12:23am IST

MUMBAI: Even as the cricketing world rose in unison on Saturday to condole the death of one of India's most able cricket administrators, Raj Singh Dungarpur, the scene at his Worli home where his body lay, reflected poorly on the people with whom he was associated for decades.

The 'Doyen of Dungarpur' who lived life kingsize breathed his last at 11.30 am. His niece took care of the 73-year-old Dungarpur during his last days as he struggled with Alzheimer's disease.

It was a sad farewell to 'Rajbhai' from the city of Mumbai. Till 7.30 in the evening only a handful of cricketers, committee members of the Cricket Club of India, which he institutionalised, and a few close friends were all who turned up at his residence.

It was surprising that none of the legendary sportspersons who stay at 'Sportsfield', a stone's throw away from Raj Singh's flat, came to pay their last respect.

There was a word about his close friend Lata Mangeshkar and ICC vice-president Sharad Pawar paying a visit but they hadn't till late evening.

Former Mumbai Cricket Association president Manohar Joshi happened to visit someone in the next wing of the building but immediately paid his respect on learning of Dungarpur's demise.

Former India wicketkeeper Farokh Engineer, who stays in England but incidentally happened to be in Mumbai, was among the firsts to reach the residence. "How would I not come. I had a great relationship with Rajbhai for over 40 years," he remarked. "He did a lot for Indian cricket and the CCI. It's a sad day for Indian cricket. He'll be deeply missed not just here but also at Lord's where he had a lot of friends. Raj was larger than life," said Engineer getting emotional.

Former India badminton player Nandu Natekar and late Ashok Mankad's son Mihir, late Dilip Sardesai's wife Nandini, former India wicketkeeper Kiran More, former India pacer GR Sunderram, former India players Dilip Vengsarkar and Lalchand Rajput and BCCI CAO Prof Ratnakar Shetty were among the few who paid a visit.

A legend in his own right, Raj Singh had the conviction of belief. Among his many decisions was the selection of Sachin Tendulkar as a 16-year-old in 1989 and extending an invitation to Mohammad Azharuddin to become India's captain.

While Dungarpur essayed many roles in cricket as a player, selector, team manager and board chief (1996-99), he was also invited to join the Bhartiya Janata Party by none other than former prime minister Atal Behari Vajpayee himself.

"Soon after my cataract operation in Delhi Mr Vajpayee called on me and said hereon we need your vision. Please join me, he told me," Raj Singh had revealed.

He also had a desire to write his autobiography, not one but three. "I think I'll write three; The Days of The Raj, Ups and Downs of Dungarpur and My Tryst With Indian Cricket," he had said.

He had his share of controversies too. Once Mohinder Amarnath termed his team of selectors as a 'bunch of jokers' and Sunil Gavaskar resigned from the National Cricket Academy disagreeing with Dungarpur's ideas. But it was the allegations of corruption by CCI members that pained him deeply.

'Rajbhai was an institution'

"He was down-to-earth, a strict disciplinarian." - Jayawant Lele, former BCCI secretary.

"Rajbhai used to breathe cricket and his contribution to this game was immense." - Chetan Chauhan, former India opener.

"He was an institution by himself. Indian cricket will find it hard to fill the void . " - Jagmohan Dalmiya, former BCCI president.

"He was instrumental in revival of cricket ties between India and Pakistan." - Shaharyar Khan, former PCB chief.

"He was very helpful towards cricketers. The greatest example of it is Salim Durrani." - Bapu Nadkarni, former Test cricketer.

"He was instrumental in my first trip abroad - in 1975 to Kenya. It's a beautiful memory. He was a father figure to everyone." - Kapil Dev, former India captain.

"He was a kind soul, who always believed in giving - never waiting for anything in return or waiting for compliments." - Salim Durrani, former Test cricketer.
 

Pintu

New Member
Joined
Mar 22, 2009
Messages
12,082
Likes
348
http://www.ptinews.com/news/279761_Mortal-remains-of-Dungarpur-consigned-to-flames

Mortal remains of Dungarpur consigned to flames

STAFF WRITER 16:45 HRS IST

Jaipur, Sep 13 (PTI) The mortal remains of former BCCI chairman Raj Singh Dungarpur who died in Mumbai yesterday were consigned to flames this afternoon at his ancestral cremation ground near Surpur area in Rajasthan's Dungarpur district.

Elder brother of Dungarpur, Jai Singh, lit the pyre, official sources said.

The 73-year-old well known cricket administrator affectionately called 'Rajbhai' in cricket fraternity died following protracted illness.

Former captain of Indian team Mohammed Azharuddin was among those present there on the occasion.

Earlier in the day, thousands paid floral tributes to late Dungarpur at his residence 'Udaivilas' in the city.

Dungarpur, who died as a bachelor, was instrumental in amending rules of the Cricket Club of India to allow Sachin Tendulkar to use its dressing room as a 14-year-old in an effort to smoothen things for the champion batsman very early in his glittering career.
 

Pintu

New Member
Joined
Mar 22, 2009
Messages
12,082
Likes
348
Rest in Peace , Mr. Raj Singh Dungerpur, you have created History in the world of cricket , and enabling the mass to see the legend the master blaster , Sachin Tendulkar in action, you have created History to make Md. Azaharuddin who rose to fame as one of the successful captain and best batsman , may be some of your comments that created controversy and went against 'Dada' the stylist left hander and one of the greatest captain , our nation has ever produced , may you were ignored at your death, but you will remain in the page of History and will be remebered forever.
 

Latest Replies

Global Defence

New threads

Articles

Top