Coach of Zaheer Khan dies at the age of 78

Naik was a hugely respected figure in Mumbai cricket circles and the Ranji Trophy captain when he led the team to glory in the 1970-71 season.

Sudhir Naik, coach of Zaheer Khan, died at the age of 78

BADSHAHBOOK: Sudhir Naik was known as a hugely respected figure in the circles of Mumbai cricket as well as the Ranji Trophy captain at the time he was leading the team to victory in the 1970-71 season.

Former India opener Sudhir Naik, who played three Test matches in 1974, died in a Mumbai hospital on Wednesday after a brief illness, Mumbai Cricket Association sources confirmed.

He was 78 and had been survived by his daughter.

“Recently, he just fell on the floor of the bathroom and had a head injury after which he was immediately admitted to a hospital in Mumbai. He fell into a coma and did not wake up,” an MCA source who regularly monitored his health told PTI.

 

Naik was a hugely respected figure in Mumbai cricket circles and the Ranji Trophy captain when he led the team to glory in the 1970-71 season.

Naik's leadership had been always praised as Mumbai grabbed the Ranji Trophy in that season even without stars like Ajit Wadekar, Sunil Gavaskar, Ashok Mankad and Dilip Sardesai.

Contrary to the irony, during the beginning of the 1972 Ranji season, Naik was dropped from the playing XI as soon as the main batsmen got back into the team.

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In the year 1974, he marked on a fateful tour of England in which he made his debut in the Birmingham Test Series where he embarked his only half-century (77) in the 2nd innings in a losing cause.

 

He played 85 1st-class matches in total and scored nearly 4400 runs (4376) maintaining an average score of 35 plus and 700 including a double ton.

 

But he suffered a lot because the erstwhile BCCI in the 1970s was of very weak stature and full of subordinate creatures who did not protest when he was wrongly accused of stealing two pairs of socks in a London department store.

In fact, Sunil Gavaskar wrote in his book "Sunny Days" that Naik should not have pleaded guilty before the judge and should have got a good lawyer to fight the false accusation that damaged his reputation.

He was a tough character and scored a rough Test half-century just after the incident. But during the era of musical chairs in Indian cricket, his international career could not survive beyond 1974.

In his final years, he had an active role as a coach and also made an influence in Zaheer Khan's career, as he brought him to play cricket in Mumbai as well as providing him with the exposure he needed.

Hailing from a small town called Serampore, Zaheer wanted to pursue engineering. It was Naik's belief in his talent and his perseverance that made Zaheer stay back in Mumbai and hone his skills at the iconic Cross Maidan.

He also served as the chairman of Mumbai's selection committee. In his later years, he worked voluntarily as the custodian of the Wankhede Stadium.

 

BCCI expressed grief

 

BCCI President Roger Binny said that the board members are deeply saddened by the demise of Shri Sudhir Naik. His great contribution across decades to the game inspired anyone who wanted to take up the sport. BCCI would pray for the departed soul.

In a statement, Board Secretary Jay Shah wrote, “I am saddened to learn of the passing of Shri Sudhir Naik. It is indeed a great loss to his family, friends and the people in the Mumbai Cricket Association. Shri Naik had a genuine passion and also served cricket in various capacities. Be it as a cricketer, curator coach, or administrator, he served all truly. He had a keen eye for talent that helped in shaping the careers of many cricketers."

 

 

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