Chetan Chauhan, one of India’s most courageous opening batsmen in cricket, has left behind a legacy that will forever be remembered in the annals of the sport. Born on July 21, 1947, in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, Chauhan grew up with a passion for cricket that would shape his life and career.
From an early age, it was clear that Chauhan possessed a special talent for the game. His perseverance, doggedness, and unwavering focus set him apart from his peers. As a right-handed batsman, he may not have possessed the most fluent strokeplay, but his impeccable defence and ability to get behind the line of the ball made him a difficult batsman to dislodge.
Chauhan made his international debut against New Zealand in Mumbai at the young age of 22. He also had the opportunity to showcase his skills against Australia that same season. Although he was initially dropped from the side, he was later recalled for two Tests against England in 1972-73. However, it was during the tour of Australia in 1977-78 that Chauhan truly came into his own, creating history alongside the legendary Sunil Gavaskar.
The partnership between Gavaskar and Chauhan remains one of the most successful opening duos in Indian Test cricket, having established ten century partnerships. Their crowning glory came at The Oval in 1979, when they broke a long-standing record by putting on 213 runs together, surpassing the 203-run record set by Merchant and Mushtaq Ali in 1936. Chauhan contributed an impressive 80 runs to the partnership.
Despite his undeniable talent and consistent performances, Chauhan was unfortunate not to score a Test hundred throughout his career. Nevertheless, his aggregate in Tests exceeded 2000 runs, making him the first player in Test history to score over 2000 runs without a century. His contribution to the team cannot be measured solely by individual statistics, as his patience and defensive qualities often laid a solid foundation for the Indian batting line-up.
Outside of the international arena, Chauhan showcased his talents in domestic cricket. He represented both Maharashtra and Delhi in the prestigious Ranji Trophy competition, where he consistently churned out runs. His contributions to domestic cricket further solidified his reputation as a dependable and valuable player.
Following his retirement from cricket, Chauhan continued his involvement in the sport as a selector for the North Zone. Additionally, he found success in the political arena and was elected to Parliament on a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ticket, actively contributing to governance and policy-making.
Sadly, Chauhan’s life was cut short by the global Covid-19 pandemic. In August 2020, he succumbed to complications arising from the disease. His untimely demise left a void in the cricketing fraternity, with fans and fellow players mourning the loss of one of India’s true legends.
Chetan Chauhan’s contributions to Indian cricket will forever be cherished. His courage, tenacity, and unwavering spirit will continue to inspire generations to come. Moreover, his legacy serves as a reminder that greatness is not solely measured by statistics, but also by the intangible qualities that make a player truly exceptional.
