Chauhan was Sunny’s longest opening partner

Chetan, who played 40 Tests for India, was 73 and is survived by his wife and son Vinayak. “My elder brother Chetan has left us after fighting a good battle. I sincerely thank everyone who prayed for his recovery,” Pushpendra told PTI.

Chetan, who was Sunil Gavaskar’s longest opening partner, was admitted to Sanjay Gandhi PGI in Lucknow on July 12 after being found COVID-19 positive. Due to kidney-related ailments, his health deteriorated and he was shifted to Medanta hospital in Gurugram. On Friday, he had a multi-organ failure and was put on ventilator support.

After retiring, Chetan served the Delhi & Districts Cricket Association (DDCA) in various capacities - president, vice-president, secretary and chief selector - apart from being the manager of the India Team during its tour of Australia in 2001. He was twice elected to the Lok Sabha from Amroha in Uttar Pradesh, in 1991 and 1998, and was honoured with the Arjuna Award in 1981.

During his 12-year-long cricket career for India, Chetan scored 2084 runs with 16 half-centuries and two wickets. He could never get a hundred, with 97 being his best. With Gavaskar, Chetan formed a formidable opening partnership for India and the duo together scored more than 3000 runs, including 12 century stands.

Having made his first-class debut as a 22-year-old against Mumbai, Chetan was known to be a brave batsman of his generation.