Mumbai Cricket Legend Vasoo Paranjape bids goodbye

Vasoo Paranjape with Sir Vivian Richards at a felicitation function for cricket coaches at the DY Patil auditorium in Navi Mumbai on August 5, 2013. Pic/Sameer Markande

Tributes from the cricketing fraternity flowed thick and fast to mourn the death of Vasoo Paranjape, the former Mumbai Ranji Trophy player, who became a mentor to several cricketers in the city and beyond.

Paranjape, 82, passed away on Monday afternoon following a prolonged illness.

If batting legend Sunil Gavaskar is known as Sunny throughout the cricketing globe it is because Paranjape came up with that nickname for him when Gavaskar joined Dadar Union Sporting Club in the 1960s. Paranjape was his captain at the club and his style of leadership and aggression won many a competition. "His captaincy was as dynamic as his batting and he loved a challenge," wrote Gavaskar in Sunny Days.

Sunil Gavaskar (left) with MNS chief Raj Thackeray at Vasoo Paranjape's residence in Matunga yesterday. Pic/Suresh Karkera

Sunny pays his last respects

The batting great was quick to reach the Paranjape residence on Monday to pay his last respects to his mentor.

Sandeep Patil was out of town but sent mid-day his tribute. "This is a huge loss to Mumbai and Indian cricket. Apart from helping me with my cricket [he was my coach at Ruia College], Vasoo was the one who was highly instrumental in my marriage to Deepa. It was Vasoo who organised a meeting between both our families and I'm ever so grateful to him. He coached the Nirlon team which I was part of."

Vasoo Paranjape

Sachin Tendulkar was another batting great to be guided by Paranjape. He said in a statement: "Vasu sir, as I have always known him, was one of the best coaches I have worked with. He has been an integral part of my cricketing journey since childhood and a mentor in many ways. Early in my career, I remember him telling me in Marathi, ‘You watch out for the first 15 minutes and the opposition will watch you for the rest of the day.' He was knowledgeable, lively and had a great sense of humour. I had visited him a few of months ago and he was his usual humorous self."

Former Mumbai wicketkeeper-batsman and coach Sulakshan Kulkarni recalled how Paranjape gifted him a set of cricket attire when he scored a double hundred for Dadar Union in the Purshottam Shield three decades ago.

‘A true friend and guide'

"I wore that trouser and shirt in the 1993-94 Ranji Trophy semi-final against Maharashtra in Pune and scored 139. Vasu sir was a true friend, philosopher and guide for me," said Kulkarni.

Cricket administrators recognised Paranjape's coaching skills and his ability to set the right bases. Former BCCI secretary Ajay Shirke was one of them. "When I was a president of Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA), he helped us immensely and we have a strong base because of him. I have not met a man with such deep knowledge of cricket," Shirke told mid-day from Lingfield, England on Monday.

Tweet talk

Dhawal Kulkarni@dhawal_kulkarni: Really saddened at the demise of Vasoo Sir. One of the best coaches , mentors I have played under. Condolences to @jats72 and the family. God bless.

Ravi Shastri@RaviShastriOfc: Really saddened at the demise of Vasoo Paranjape. He was an institution in the game with a real positive vibe in whatever he did. Condolences to @jats72 and the family. God bless his soul

Sanjay Manjrekar@sanjaymanjrekar: A truly exceptional and invaluable member of the cricket community passes away. RIP Vasu Sir! #VasuParanjape.

Vinod Kambli@vinodkambli349: Really sad to hear about Vasoo Paranjape ji. My deepest condolences and may his soul rest in peace.

Anil Kumble@anilkumble1074: Saddened to hear the passing of Vasu Paranjape. Two years of my formative years at the National camp was a great learning under his tutelage. He will be missed. My condolences to @jats72 and family.

Wasim Jaffer@WasimJaffer14: Saddened to know that Vasu sir is no more. Heartfelt condolences to @jats72 and family. Vasu sir always found a way to make those around him laugh. He will live on through his teachings and stories. RIP

Kiran More@JockMore: RIP VASU SIR . Om Shanti