Former India opener VB Chandrasekhar dies aged 57

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VB Chandrasekhar, the former Tamil Nadu and India batsman, died in Chennai on Thursday. He was six days short of his 58th birthday.

A hard-hitting opening batsman, Chandrasekhar was a key member of the Tamil Nadu team that won the state's second Ranji Trophy title in 1987-88, scoring 160 in the quarter-final against Uttar Pradesh and 89 in the final against Railways. He followed that up with a 56-ball fourth-innings century in the Irani Trophy against Rest of India, at the time the fastest hundred in first-class cricket by an Indian.

Those performances earned Chandrasekhar a place in India's limited-overs squad. His international career lasted just seven ODIs, though, in which he averaged 12.57 and he made one half-century, a 77-ball 53 against New Zealandin a 53-run win in Indore.

Following a first-class career that brought him 4999 runs at 43.09, Chandrasekhar served stints as the South Zone representative in the national selection panel from 2004 to 2006, a time of considerable churn in Indian cricket with John Wright's exit and Greg Chappell's hiring as the national coach. He was also cricket manager of Chennai Super Kings in the IPL, and made the winning bid of USD 1.5 million for MS Dhoni in the inaugural IPL auction. He served as Tamil Nadu's coach in 2012-13. He was also noted for his sharp wit as a TV commentator. The Tamil Nadu Cricket Association, in a press release, expressed condolences over his "sudden and sad demise". Chandrasekhar's funeral will take place on August 17 in Chennai.*

His demise was mourned by players and administrators.

Very sad to hear of the passing away of VB Chandrasekhar. Have fond memories of him. My condolences to his family.

— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) August 16, 2019

BCCI regrets to inform that former India opener VB Chandrasekhar is no more. Our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and his fans.

— BCCI (@BCCI) August 15, 2019

Terrible news...VB...too soon. Shocking! Heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.

— Anil Kumble (@anilkumble1074) August 15, 2019

Deeply saddened and shocked to know about the demise of my good friend VB Chandrasekhar. Heartfelt condolences to his family. May his soul RIP.

— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) August 15, 2019

Sad day and a big loss to the cricket family. Rest In Peace VB. https://t.co/4KSlDduA9V

— Stephen Fleming (@SPFleming7) August 16, 2019

Extremely sad & shocked to hear about the passing away of VB Chandrasekhar sir. His consistent efforts made it possible to set the right foundation of the CSK team. He always encouraged & believed in us since very beginning. My deepest condolences to the family. pic.twitter.com/g2mtq8wRos

— Suresh Raina (@ImRaina) August 15, 2019

Shell shocked to hear the demise of V B Chandrasekar sir. My deepest condolences to the family.

— Abhinav mukund (@mukundabhinav) August 15, 2019

SHocked and saddened to hear about VB Chandrasekhar's sad demise. He was a gem who contributed to the game with distinction in various roles. Affable, kind, patient and persistent. Gone too early. Will miss him. #RIPVB

— Anirudh Chaudhry (@AnirudhChaudhry) August 15, 2019

* 0740am GMT, August 16, 2019. The copy was updated to include the statement from the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association

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Chandrasekhar was a swashbuckling batsman capable of matching even his state teammate Kris Srikkanth for strokeplay. © TNCA

Former India and Tamil Nadu cricketer VB Chandrasekhar passed away aged 57 in Chennai on Thursday (August 15). Chandrasekhar, fondly referred to as VB, played seven ODIs for India between 1988 and 1990 and was a stalwart of the Tamil Nadu team through the late 80s and early 90s, playing a leading role in the state's triumph in the 1987-88 season with 551 runs - the third-highest behind Brijesh Patel and Robin Singh.

Chandrasekhar was a swashbuckling batsman capable of matching even his state teammate Kris Srikkanth for strokeplay. In the Irani Cup clash against Rest of India post-Tamil Nadu's triumph in March 1988, Chandrasekhar blasted a 56-ball century - the then fastest hundred in India's premier first-class competition. That innings caught the eye of the national selectors, earning him a call up to the Indian ODI with a debut eventually coming against New Zealand at Visakhapatnam.

He didn't make much of an impression in the four games of that series, managing a solitary half-century at Indore. Three single-digit scores on the 1990 tour of New Zealand ended his sojourn at the international level. But Chandrasekhar remained a towering presence on the domestic circuit. He made 572 runs in the 1991-92 season and went on to lead the Tamil Nadu side. He moved on to Goa for the final leg of his first-class career, for whom he scored a personal best 237* against Kerala.

Post his playing career, Chandrasekhar served as the national selector and also coached the Tamil Nadu team during the 2012-13 season. He was appointed operations director of the Chennai Super Kings franchise during the inception of the Indian Premier League in 2008 and played a key role in convincing N. Srinivasan to pick MS Dhoni over Virender Sehwag as the team's marquee signing.

 

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Sad to know that he committed Suicide...

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Police Confirm Former India Batsman VB Chandrasekhar's Suicide in Chennai

 

Former India cricketer VB Chandrasekhar took his own life at his residence at Mylapore in Chennai on Thursday, according to police.

Chandrasekhar was 57, and said to have suffered losses in his cricket-related businesses. He owned a team VB Kanchi Veerans in the Tamil Nadu Premier League and also ran the VB Cricket Academy in Chennai.

 

"He was having tea with his family at 5.30 before going into his room, where he ended his life by hanging. His wife had to break open the door and take him to the hospital, but he passed away. There was no suicide note. He was under financial stress. He had accrued a lot of debt and received a bank notice recently. For now, police have booked a case of unnatural death," investigating inspector Senthil Murugan told Cricketnext.

 

Chandrasekhar played an active role in the TNPL season that ended on Thursday; his team Veerans qualified for the final four. He was also an active commentator for the tournament.

Chandrasekhar is survived by his wife and two daughters.

He played for India in seven ODIs, with a knock of 53 being his best score.

He also served as a national selector for a brief period and had been part of the Tamil Nadu team that won the Ranji Trophy in 1988.

He scored 160 in the quarter-finals against Uttar Pradesh and 89 in the final against Railways before following that up with a 56-ball fourth-innings century in the Irani Trophy against Rest of India, at the time the fastest ton in first-class cricket by an Indian. He scored a total of 4999 runs at 43.09 in first-class cricket.

He was also the manager of IPL franchise Chennai Super Kings for the first three years and was a crucial part of the think tank that brought MS Dhoni into the setup and built a strong core around him.

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[Kool_SRG]

Fondly known as VB in cricketing circles, the Tamil Nadu batsman represented India in seven ODIs.

ormer India and Tamil Nadu opener V.B. Chandrasekhar passed away here on Thursday. He was 57. Police said the body of the former cricketer was recovered from his residence. They suspect it to be a case of suicide.

Chandrasekhar, popularly called VB, is survived by wife and two daughters. 

A hard-hitting opener, he represented India in seven ODIs, with an innings of 53 being his highest score. In 81 First Class matches, Chandrasekhar notched up 4999 runs at 43.09 with 10 centuries. 

After his eventful cricketing career, where he was a part of the last Tamil Nadu team to triumph in the Ranji Trophy in 1988 — he later led the State side and then briefly played for Goa — VB focussed on coaching and commentary.

 

VB coached the Tamil Nadu Ranji team and was continually involved with the game.

Significantly, he was the cricket manager of Chennai Super Kings in the franchise’s first three years and was instrumental in getting the iconic M.S. Dhoni to CSK.

Tamil Nadu batsman V.B. Chandrasekhar (right) celebrates with his skipper K. Srikkanth after scoring a quickfire hundred in the Irani Trophy cricket match against Rest of India at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium (Chepauk).   -  THE HINDU ARCHIVES

 

 

Special bond with Dravid

He shared a special bond with Rahul Dravid and spent long hours dissecting cricket with the batting legend. “I taught Rahul how to sweep,” he would say with a sparkle in his eyes. 

Interestingly, Dravid’s sons used to visit VB’s coaching camp in Chennai. “They are very promising. Watch out for them,” VB would say.

The multi-faceted Chandrasekhar wore many hats. He was a National selector from 2004 to 2006. He was also an exceptional talent spotter. 

VB’s explosive batting skills came to the fore in the Irani Trophy of 1988-89 in Chennai, where he reached his century off 56 balls, which was then the quickest hundred by an Indian in First Class cricket. 

During Tamil Nadu’s triumphant Ranji campaign in 1987-88, VB scored 551 from eight matches at 45.91, often dismantling attacks at the top of the order with his barrage of strokes. He cherished hitting the ball straight.

Soon he was drafted into the Indian ODI team. In the early 1990s, VB travelled to New Zealand with the Indian team. 

Warm, friendly person

He was a warm, friendly man, who brought with him charm, elegance and wit. He would regale you with anecdotes laced with a sense of humour.

VB was an entrepreneur. He owned the team VB Kanchi Veerans in the Tamil Nadu Premier League. Cricket meant everything to him. VB was also the owner of a state-of-the-art cricket academy in Chennai.

“It’s an absolute shock for me. I cannot believe it. He was an outstanding attacking batsman. It’s unfortunate that he did not play more for India,” said former India captain K. Srikkanth.

He added, “We also did commentary together after our playing days. He was a warm person.”

Huge blow

Former India leg-spinner V.V. Kumar said, “I live close to his house, used to meet VB regularly. It is a huge blow to all of us. Along with Srikkanth, he was the most aggressive batsman Tamil Nadu produced.”

In the last few years, VB took a keen interest in his daughters’ career in Carnatic music. He would travel with them to different cities, attending concerts. 

Tamil Nadu cricket has lost a genuinely good person, an engaging conversationalist, whose passion for the game knew no bounds. VB will be missed.

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[Ram52]

varni suicide aa

[Kool_SRG]

This guy is a Tambrahm like Kris Srikanth...Both were very attacking.

[Kool_SRG]

3 minutes ago, Ram52 said:

varni suicide aa

Yes

[r2d2]

sad story..

Investigating officer inspector Senthil Murugan said Chandrashekar had not left any suicide note. Chandrasekhar's wife Soumya told them that he had tea with the family and went to his room at 5:45 pm. She also informed us that VB was depressed due to the losses that he had incurred in his cricket business," Murugan said. .. 

[WigsandThighs]

[reality]

Sad.

BCCI emanna rescue cheyyochu ga Ilanti situations lo,, antha money em cheskuntar ra.

[Kool_SRG]

9 minutes ago, reality said:

Sad.

BCCI emanna rescue cheyyochu ga Ilanti situations lo,, antha money em cheskuntar ra.

Athani Private finances gurinchi BCCI enthuku chustaadi...Inka anukunte India Cements ki aadadu & was very close to CSK , sreenivasan emayina chusi undaali gaani..

[reality]

5 minutes ago, Kool_SRG said:

Athani Private finances gurinchi BCCI enthuku chustaadi...Inka anukunte India Cements ki aadadu & was very close to CSK , sreenivasan emayina chusi undaali gaani..

Direct finances chudatam kadhu. Considering these cases as special, BCCI should help if they learn about his distress and verify it as genuine.