Mumbai: Former India captain Polly Umrigar died on Tuesday of cancer, his family said. He was 80 and is survived by his wife, two sons and a daughter.

A former Test batsman of repute, Umrigar died at 8:30 pm at his residence here.

Dilip Vengsarkar, also former India captain and current chief selector, said the news of Umrigar’s death was “shocking.”

“He was our manager. I learnt a lot from him. I cannot express my grief in words,” he said, adding that the void left by Umrigar would be difficult to fill.

Umrigar, known as the ‘Palm Tree Hitter’ for his ability to strike huge sixes, was one of the reliable middle-order batsmen during the 1950s and represented India in 59 Tests.

He led India in eight Tests from 1955 to 1958, winning two and losing two.

Umrigar, affectionately addressed as ‘Polly kaka’, was one of the few cricketers who could not only prepare good wickets, but also read wickets well. For years, the wickets at the Wankhede were prepared by him.

Umrigar was also chairman of selectors, team manager and BCCI executive secretary.

Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar described Umrigar as a perfect gentleman and said that Indian cricket was “passing through a bad phase and the death of Umrigar was part of this cup of woes.”

“The time is not good for Indian cricket and the passing away of Umrigar is another sad event. He was a great cricketer, and even more importantly, a perfect gentleman.”

Nari Contractor, who was among Umrigar’s closest friends, said: “He was a great cricketer, a superb strokeplayer, a fine allrounder and brilliant fielder. ”

Sharad Pawar said the BCCI was likely to institute a trophy and a cash award of Rs 5 lakh for the most promising cricketer of the year in his memory. (AGENCIES)

AT A GLANCE

• Name: Pahlanji Ratanji Umrigar
• Born: March 28, 1926, Sholapur, Maharashtra
• Died: November 7, 2006, Mumbai
• Right-hand batsman
• Right-arm off-break, Right-arm medium pace
• Major Teams: India (Test 1948/49-1961/62); Parsees (1944/45-1945/46);
• Bombay (1946/47-1962/63); Gujarat (1950/51-1951/52)
• Test career: 3631 runs in 59 Tests at an average of 42.22
• Hundreds: 12
• Wickets: 35
• Highest score: 223 vs New Zealand in Hyderabad, 1955-56
• Best bowling: 6/74 vs Pakistan in Bahawalpur, 1954-55
NOTE
** At the time of his retirement from international cricket in 1962, he held the following Indian records — most Tests (59), most runs (3631) and most 100s (12)
** He was the first Indian batsman to register a double hundred in Tests (223 vs New Zealand in Hyderabad in 1955-56).
** He is only one of two Indians (Vinoo Mankad being the other) to score a century (172 n.o.) and take five wickets (5/107) in an innings — a feat he achieved against the West Indies in Port of Spain in 1962.

Compiled by Mohandas Menon