New Delhi: Former Mumbai captain and selector Milind Rege passed away at the age of 76 due to cardiac arrest and renal failure on Wednesday morning in Mumbai. He suffered a heart attack at the age of 26 which effectively ended his promising cricket career.
He turned 76 last Sunday, February 16 and was the cricket advisor of the Mumbai Cricket Association. Rege served as the Mumbai chief selector/selector and was part of the MCA’s Cricket Improvement Committee for around three decades. He was part of the selection committee which included Sachin Tendulkar in Mumbai’s squad for the first time in the 1988-1989 season.
MCA president Ajinkya Naik posted a tweet on ‘X’ stating that he is deeply saddened by the passing of Milind Rege Sir. “A true stalwart of Mumbai cricket, his invaluable contributions as a player, selector, and mentor shaped generations of cricketers. His unwavering support and guidance will always be remembered, and his legacy will continue to inspire. He always stood by me, and I will forever be grateful. Heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones. May his soul rest in peace”.
Milind Rege’s first-class numbers
He was the childhood friend of the legendary Sunil Gavaskar. Both of them studied together in the same school and college. Later, they went on to play for the Dadar Union Sporting Club. Rege was part of Mumbai’s team which won 13 successive Ranji Trophy titles. He played 52 first-class matches and picked up 126 wickets at an average of 29.23, including two five-wicket hauls. He scored 1,532 runs at an average of 23.56, with a top score of unbeaten 67.
Last month on the 50th anniversary of Wankhede Stadium, the MCA honoured the eight surviving members of the Mumbai squad which played the first-ever first-class match at the venue back in 1974. Rege was a crucial member of the team which was led by Ashok Mankad and included names like Gavaskar, Farokh Engineer, Ajit Pai, Karsan Ghavri, Padmalkar Shivalkar, Rakesh Tandon and Abdul Ismail. Rege scored a crucial fifty in that match, which Mumbai won by an innings and 96 runs.
Former Mumbai skipper and selector Milind Rege passed away at the age of 76 due to cardiac arrest and renal failure. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
