Remembering Chetan Chauhan: His smile and common sense approach defined him, and his humility was touching

I did not think that I would be writing an obituary to my friend and opening partner Chetan Chauhan. The COVID-19 virus has thought him fit to swallow; at least it should have considered his pedigree and class! I am at a loss of words to fling at the menace that is chewing up our world. Chetan was on ventilator and his vital parameters were succumbing. The wisdom and expertise of the doctors attending on him appeared no match to the nefarious designs of the vicious virus.

I was recalling Chetan the cricketer, and what made him so special. Before I met him, I interacted with his father, a retired Colonel, who was a regular at the university grounds in Delhi University. He would travel to Delhi from Moradabad and regale us with stories of his son. Chetan was then playing for Maharashtra. The father would lament that his son was a highly-accomplished opening batsman, but the mandarins in the BCCI were not given him a fair opportunity.

We used to respect the old man, and wonder why he was so hurt.

Then in 1974, if memory serves me right, Chetan moved to Delhi. There was a lot of speculation as to who would partner him? We had two established openers: Vinay Lamba and yours truly. Within a week of his arrival, we had a match coming up at Mohan Meakins in Ghaziabad against – I think it was the Railways. I was told to open with him. We went out to bat quietly. We were not introduced. On our way to the pitch I told him my name and said as you are senior you take first strike. We put on 119 and the opening pair issue was settled then and there.

As the season progressed, three factors were discernable and differentiated Chetan from the rest of us. He was from the Mumbai school of batting. He was not an impressive batsman in the sense of being a stroke player. He was principled. Basically a sound defence, sideways, and unflappable. He played a few shots that he was sure of. A push to mid wicket, a dab to backward point, a fierce square cut and pushes on the off side.

While most of us were stroke players and often paid the price for our impetuousness, Chetan was circumspect. "Aise hi hone ka, khelna hai toh khelo", was his favourite take when umpiring or other factors went against us.

Chetan was superbly fit and hard working. I do not remember him ever leaving the ground even once in the decade that we played together. He used to say, "I have played under Chandu Borde, and he was a tough task master".

Chetan had a unique sense, the "business" as I call it, of scoring runs. He could manipulate the strike and knew when to defend and then when to attack. The other batsman who had this trait in those days, and from whom we tried to imbibe this, was Sunny Gavaskar.

If Delhi and North Zone is a powerhouse now, the credit for this, in a large measure must go to Chetan as many of us learnt the finer points from him. Of course our skipper Bishan Bedi needs to be saluted for enticing him to Delhi, and reviving his seemingly defunct cricket career.

As a friend I recall that we were both together when India was playing the Prudential World Cup final in June 83. When we were all out, Chetan told me, "Venks, lag raha hai India jeet jayaega". I asked, "Kyon?". "I can sense it!" he said

Well, I have lost more than a partner, a mentor, a pal, an official who supported my efforts to put Kotla on the cricket map after it had been banned.

His smile and common sense approach defined him. His humility was touching.

RIP Chetan till we meet again.

(The writer is Ex-Delhi and North Zone captain, Ex-Chairman Grounds and Wickets Committee BCCI, Ex-Manager Indian Cricket Team)