Former Test cricketer Ashok Mankad passes away

MUMBAI: Former Test cricketer Ashok Mankad passed away in his sleep at his Worli residence in Central Mumbai on Friday, family sources said.

He was 61 and is survived by wife Nirupama, a former national and Asian tennis champion and two tennis player sons -- Mihir and Harsh.

Born in Mumbai on October 12, 1946, Mankad, son of one of India's greatest Test all-rounders Vinoo, played in 22 Tests between 1969 and 1978 and scored 991 runs with an average of 25.41.

The right-handed batsman, who made his debut in the middle order against Graham Dowling's visiting New Zealand team at the Brabourne stadium in Mumbai, later started opening the innings.

His highest score of 97 as an opener, in his second series against Bill Lawry's Australian team in Delhi, in November 1969, helped India clinch the Test match and level the four-Test series 1-1 at the Ferozshah Kotla ground.

The veteran cricketer was also a member of the history-making Indian squads under Ajit Wadekar, which recorded India's first-ever series victories in the West Indies and England in 1971.

Mankad, whose brothers Rahul and Atul also played first class cricket, started his career with a bang with a string of four half centuries (74,64,68 and 67) before a slump in form, getting only one half century in the next 15 Tests.