Former India cricketer Chandrasekhar passes away at 57; police suspect suicide
Chennai, Aug 16: Former India opener and national selector V B Chandrasekhar passed away in Chennai, in a case of suicide, police said on Friday.
It was initially reported that he had died following a massive cardiac arrest.
According to a senior police official, Chandrasekhar ended his life by hanging himself at his house in the city on Thursday evening due to debts.
He was under a lot of stress due to the debts incurred, the police official added.
The former Indian opener owned a team (VB Kanchi Veerans) in the Tamil Nadu Premier League, the fourth edition of which concluded on Thursday.
The dashing Tamil Nadu right-hander of yesteryears, who was only six days short of his 58th birthday, is survived by his wife and two daughters.
Chandrasekhar played 7 ODIs between 1988 and 1990, scoring only 88 runs, but at the domestic level he was prolific for a few seasons, aggregating 4,999 runs in 81 games with a highest score of 237 not out.
A qualified engineer, VB as he was popularly known in cricketing circles, was a member of the state team that won the Ranji Trophy in 1987-'88.
The cricketing fraternity across the country was shocked to learn about Chandrasekhar's passing.
The Indian cricket board condoled his death and posted on its Twitter handle (@BCCI): "BCCI regrets to inform that former India opener VB Chandrasekhar is no more. Our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and his fans."
Former India captain Krish Srikkanth, who had opened several times in the past, said he was shocked to learn about VB's death adding he was a very nice person.
India and Chennai Super Kings player Suresh Raina condoled the death of Chandrasekhar.
"Extremely sad & shocked to hear about the passing away of VB Chandrasekhar sir. His consistent efforts made it possible to set the right foundation of the CSK team. He always encouraged & believed in us since very beginning. My deepest condolences to the family," Raina tweeted.
India and CSK off-spinner Harbhajan Singh also expressed his sadness.
"Very shocking to hear VB Chandrashekhar indian cricketer is no more.. very sad news .. very young to go..
rest in peace VB.. Big lose. condolences to the family," Harbhajan wrote on his twitter handle.
IPL team Chennai Super Kings, for which Chandrasekhar was director-operations and a selector, condoled the death.
"One of the main architects behind CSKs strong foundation and brand of cricket! V B Chandrasekhar's contribution to TN cricket as a player, mentor and official is immeasurable. He was an integral part of the Super Kings family and it is truly a personal loss to all of us," the CSK said on its twitter handle.
One of the main architects behind CSK’s strong foundation and brand of cricket! V B Chandrasekhar's contribution to TN cricket as a player, mentor and official is immeasurable. He was an intergral part of the Super Kings family and it is truly a personal loss to all of us. ? pic.twitter.com/G8AdRdBmTz
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) August 16, 2019
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West Asia crisis: Rajasthan man goes missing near Oman after Iranian missile hits oil tanker
Jaipur (PTI): A man from Nagaur district in Rajasthan has gone missing after a missile struck an oil tanker he was aboard near Oman amid the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, according to his family members.
The family said they received information that an Iranian missile hit the vessel on the morning of March 1 while it was stationed at Khasab Port, causing significant damage to the ship.
Dalip Singh, the missing crew member, is a resident of Khinwatana village in Nagaur and began his duty on January 22.
He was serving as a crew member on the tanker operated by Skylight Company. At the time of the attack, Dalip was in the forward section of the ship with another crew member, Ashish Kumar, who hailed from Bihar. While Kumar's body has been recovered, Dalip remains untraceable, his brother Devendra Singh said.
Devendra further mentioned that the company informed them that most of the crew members were evacuated safely during the attack. However, Ashish and two others, including Dalip, have gone missing.
He noted that Dalip last spoke to the family on February 28.
Additionally, another man from Nagaur district, Sunil Kumar, was also working on the same vessel. Dalip is said to have taken over duty in the shift after Sunil completed his assignment, Devendra added.
