VB Chandrasekhar was involved in cricket as a coach, commentator and selector after his retirement. (Facebook/ChandrasekharVB)
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Former India player VB Chandrasekhar, 57, passed away in Chennai on Thursday. At first, news came that Chandrasekhar died due to cardiac arrest but later according to some news reports, police confirmed he had committed suicide. The reason behind it is not clear yet. He is survived by his wife and two daughters.
As per a Times of India report, the former India opener allegedly committed suicide owing to losses in TNPL. VB Chandrasekhar was the owner of VB Kanchi Veerans in the T20 league. The team finished fourth in the points table this season, winning four out of seven matches. “Chandrasekhar’s wife told the police that she had knocked at the door of his room but there was no response. She then peeped through the window to find him hanging from the ceiling,” Investigating officer inspector Senthil Murugan was quoted as saying by the newspaper.
Chandrasekhar, known as VB in cricketing circles, represented India as an opener in seven ODIs. After retiring from domestic cricket, he was involved in coaching and commentary roles. He also briefly served as India selector and was also the manager of the Chennai Super Kings in the IPL for three years.
Several cricketers have written their tributes to Chandrasekhar following news of his demise.
Terrible news…VB…too soon. Shocking! Heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.
— Anil Kumble (@anilkumble1074) August 15, 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
Wittiest Indian cricket team selector I have known VB Chandrasekar sir left us too soon #RIP #greatman
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) August 15, 2019
Interestingly, it had been Chandrasekhar who had been instrumental in bringing MS Dhoni to Chennai Super Kings, “raising the paddle to the unheard sum of $ 1.5 million dollars” so that CSK got their man at the IPL auction.
Devastated to hear that VB Chandrasekhar has passed away. I remember him in the first ever IPL auction in 2008, raising the paddle to the unheard sum of $ 1.5 million dollars to bring MS Dhoni to CSK.
He will be missed.— Joy Bhattacharjya (@joybhattacharj) August 15, 2019
This was remembered fondly on Twitter on Thursday by Joy Bhattacharjya, who was part of the Kolkata Knight Riders team at that auction.
A qualified engineer, Chandrasekhar made his first-class debut at the age of 25 and played in a formidable Tamil Nadu team, which comprised WV Raman, Diwakar Vasu, Laxman Sivaramakrishnan, and Bharath Arun.
Till a few seasons back, he held the record for the fastest hundred in the Ranji Trophy — a 56-ball ton for Tamil Nadu against Rest of India in an Irani Cup game — that brought him into national reckoning.
Unfortunately, his technique was found out during a tri-series in New Zealand in 1990, ensuring that he never played for India again.
An astute reader of the game, he was later a national selector when Greg Chappell was the coach and in his later years also did commentary in domestic cricket.
“I have done two years of commentary with him and I can vouch that I became better simply interacting with him. His game reading, grip on technical aspects was mind-blowing and it is a memory I would always cherish,” former India stumper Deep Dasgupta told PTI.
(With PTI inputs)
