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Chetan Chauhan: Former India batsman dies aged 73 after being diagnosed with coronavirus

Chauhan scored over 2,000 Test runs between 1969 and 1981

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 08:  Indian Team Manager Chetan Chauhan makes his way back to the team bus after the Indian Cricket team visit Bondi Beach on January 8, 2008 in Sydney, Australia. The Indian team have suspended their Australian tour as they wait the result of an appeal against the three match ban given to Harbhajan Singh by the International Cricket Council following the Second Test Match.  (Photo by Don Arnold/Getty Images)
Image: Former India opener Chetan Chauhan has died at the age of 73 after being diagnosed with Covid-19 in July

Former India opener Chetan Chauhan has died at the age of 73 after being diagnosed with Covid-19 in July.

Chauhan played 40 Test matches between 1969 and 1981, scoring 2,084 runs and 16 fifties at an average of 31.57 with a top score of 97 against Australia in Adelaide in 1981.

Only Shane Warne has more Test runs without hitting a century, with Chauhan hitting 80 or more seven times without going on to reach three figures.

Chauhan was a long-time opening partner of Sunil Gavaskar, with the duo putting on 3,010 runs in 59 innings together at an average of 53.75.

The batsman also played seven one-day internationals before a post-playing career which included a spell as India team manager and a move into politics.

"I am deeply anguished to learn of the passing away of Shri Chetan Chauhan," BCCI president Sourav Ganguly said in a press release.

"I have spent so much time with him when he was the Indian Cricket Team's manager. Not only was he a tough opening batsman but was a person with a tremendous sense of humour and had a tremendous attachment to Indian cricket."