Obituary: Madhav Apte

Having started out as a leg-spinner, Apte transitioned into a top-order batsman and went on to play seven Tests, in which he gathered 542 runs at an average of 49.27. That included a golden tour of the West Indies in 1952/53, where he racked up 460 runs at an average of 51.11, including three fifties and a career-best 163* in ten innings.

Having returned home from the tour a hero, Apte’s career then took a dramatic u-turn. With Indian cricket going through a drought in Test cricket, Apte lost form and never played a Test match again.

He played an unofficial Test as part of the Silver Jubilee Commonwealth XI to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India in 1954, but never donned the whites for his national side.

Nevertheless, Apte continued to ply his trade at the first-class level, where he enjoyed a 16-year career, in which he played 67 matches for 3336 runs. Having made his debut in 1951/52 with a century for Mumbai, Apte was fast-tracked into the Test team for the home series against Pakistan later in the year. That was followed by the Caribbean tour.

Following his first-class retirement in 1967/68, Apte continued to play an important role in the Mumbai set-up. His appointment as the president of Mumbai’s Cricket Club of India coincided with the rise of Sachin Tendulkar, whom Apte heavily endorsed and helped bring into the CCI side, shortly before his India debut.

"Off the field he was often known for his unconditional love and support for the game and his tales of yore that got the attention of many former and current players," BCCI stated in a release. "He will remain one of the most loved cricketers and the BCCI extends its deepest condolences to his family and friends in this hour of grief."