Gavaskar, Tendulkar, Bindra, Chappell, Modi: Collection of tributes to Jagmohan Dalmiya

Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president Jagmohan Dalmiya, who was admitted to a hospital three days ago after complaining of chest pain, died on Sunday evening, triggering shock and sorrow among the fraternity who termed it a great loss to the game.

The veteran cricket administrator, 75, was admitted to the B.M. Birla Hospital on Thursday night and shifted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). He also underwent a coronary angiography with his condition remaining stable for close to three days.

Credited with turning the gentleman’s game into a global sport of big money and a reach well beyond its traditional bastions, Dalmiya’s death was widely mourned.

India’s legendary opening batsman, Sunil Gavaskar:

A giant of international cricket has passed away. Jagmohan Dalmiya was one of those administrators for whom the game of cricket was above everything else. It was under his stewardship that the BCCI and ICC became the financial powerhouses they have become today. He along with Mr. I.S.Bindra recognised the potential of Indian cricket and of the way the electronic media could play a role in furthering and developing the sport.

It was under Mr. Dalmiya’s leadership that the ICC who then had only a few thousand dollars in their kitty went on to have the millions today which are disbursed to the rest of the cricketing world. His statesmanship also helped ease many a prickly situation in international cricket and Indian cricket in particular. I will miss his ready laugh. May his soul rest in peace.

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India’s Master Blaster, Sachin Tendulkar:

Heartfelt condolences to the family & friends of Jagmohan Dalmiya. Had met him in June. little did I realise that it would be the last. Will always cherish his encouragement & support over the years. Worked hard for the game of cricket & excelled as an administrator. Was touched by his efforts to make my penultimate Test at Eden Gardens very special. RIP Jagmohan Dalmiya.

Current ICC Chairman and Former BCCI Chief, N. Srinivasan:

“I am saddened with the passing of Mr Dalmiya. He was a visionary cricket administrator who dedicated his life to cricket. Cricket flourished in India during his tenures as the BCCI President, while global cricket got stronger when he was the ICC President. Cricket has lost one of its most loyal, committed and dedicated servants.”

Long-time associate and Friend-turned-foe, Inderjit Singh Bindra

“I remember today my long innings with Jagmohan Dalmiya from 1980-1996 when we worked together to lay the solid foundations of Indian cricket and built it into a global powerhouse. In 1984 under the leadership of NKP Salve we moved the World Cup out of England giving South Asian cricket fans the excitement and glory of the 1987 Reliance World Cup.

We succeeded in eliminating the English and Australian stranglehold on global cricket and made the ICC a truly representative and democratic global polity. Those were also the days when we earnestly laid the foundations of making Indian cricket the commercial force it is today by breaking the monopoly of Doordarshan as the sole broadcaster of Indian cricket.

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This was not as easy as it looks today. It took patience, perseverance and mental strength to fight the monopoly all the way up to the Supreme Court of India. The Court issued a landmark judgement in 1994 which catalysed the satellite broadcasting industry in India. Indian cricket was further strengthened in 1994 when we successfully won the right to host the second World Cup in the subcontinent.

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The 1996 World Cup introduced many elements of global marketing to Indian cricket. As such it set the stage for what is a given in this day and age of Indian cricket. Jaggu’s passion, energy and dedication was instrumental in achieving this all.

I, along with millions of cricket lovers around the world, salute his commitment and dedication to the game.”

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Former IPL Chief, Lalit Modi:

“Mr Dalmiya was a visionary, a very worthy opponent. My thoughts are with his family. Indian cricket will remember his contribution forever.”

Former Australian Captain, Ian Chappell ( writing for ESPNCricinfo ):

I think history should judge Jaggu very kindly. I think he did a hell of a lot for the game. Not just the financial side, he cared about the game. He had some very good ideas. He was also very keen on having ex-players, who were mentors, getting (them as) a group together to promote cricket in many different parts of the world. And once Jaggu moved on from the presidency, those ideas just seemed to disappear. I hope that he’s remembered for a lot of that work.

West Bengal Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee (who visited him at the hospital in Kolkata)

_“He was a giant amongst sports administrators, a true lover of Bengal. Dalmiya’s contribution to cricket cannot be described in words. It is really shocking to realise that he is no more. I had talked to his family members when he was hospitalised on Thursday. They told me he was doing fine.

“He was like a victorious king who fought valiantly in the field of cricket administration and today he left us but remained undefeated. He had so many dreams about world cup cricket. We will try to fulfil those dreams. He was an asset… we are all proud of him. We will give him state honours.”

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Cricket South Africa CEO and Former ICC Chief, Haroon Lorgat:

_“Mr. Dalmiya will never be forgotten in South African cricket circles for being instrumental in welcoming us back into the international cricket fold and for extending in 1991 that historic invitation to the United Cricket Board to make possible the Proteas first ever tour abroad to India.

“I always felt good around Mr. Dalmiya and I will never forget his warm words during my own difficult times. He was a special person and South Africans have much to be grateful to him for the strong relationship he cultivated between the two countries. The upcoming Freedom Trophy should be a special tribute to him.”

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With IANS inputs