Kolkata: Former Hyderabad captain MV Sridhar, who recently stepped down as BCCI’s general manager of cricket operations breathed his last on Monday morning. He suffered a heart attack and was declared dead upon arrival at the hospital. He was 51, and is survived by his wife, daughter and son. Reports suggest that he was having lunch at home when he suffered a massive cardiac arrest.
Sridhar had assumed the role of BCCI’s general manager when the body was under the administration of N Srinivasan in 2013. He was also the administrative manager of the Indian team during the infamous ‘monkeygate scandal’ in the 2007-2008 Border Gavaskar Trophy which involved Harbhajan Singh and Andrew Symonds. He was the continuous link between the team and the board and was present throughout the entire hearing.
Sridhar was also sent by the BCCI with the Indian team to the West Indies earlier this year in July after Anil Kumble infamously stepped down following his differences with Indian skipper Virat Kohli. While Sanjay Bangar fulfilled the duties of the coach, Sridhar made sure that the focus of the players remained on the game.
The entire cricketing fraternity expressed their shock on Sridhar’s death. TV commentator Harsha Bhogle tweeted, “I am deeply distressed to hear of the passing of Doc MV Sridhar. Bade bhai, life mein to abhi bhot runan banaana that aapku…..”
Alan Wilkins expressed grief at this sad news. “Deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Doc MV Sridhar at the tender age of 51. A lovely human being. Thoughts with Doc’s family,” read his tweet.
BCCI’s CEO Rahul Johri also tweeted, “Extremely extremely sad at the passing of a great friend and colleague Dr MV Sridhar. May his soul rest in peace.”
Sridhar had led Hyderabad in the 90’s in the absence of Mohammad Azharuddin who was away on national duty. A talented right-hander, Sridhar scored 6701 runs at an average of 48.91 with 21 centuries while representing Hyderabad and South Zone in 97 first class matches. His 366 against Andhra Pradesh in the 1993/1994 season still is the third highest individual score in a Ranji Trophy match.