I have lost a friend, philosopher and guide, says Dungarpur

Mumbai, Nov 8 (UNI) Former BCCI president Raj Singh Dungarpur today, while paying tributes to the former India captain Polly Umrigar, said his death had brought an end to the era of great cricketers of the 1940s, 50s and 60s.

''He was my friend, philosopher and guide. With his passing away a whole era of great cricketers of the 1940s, 50s and 60s has come to an end. I am talking about Gulabrai Ramchand, Dattu Phadkar, Umrigar, Subhash Gupte and Vijay Manjrekar'', Dungarpur said.

''I have played against all of them and seen them. Each one of them was a world class cricketer. They have all contributed a lot.

However, Polly's contribution was more than the others as a cricket administrator, pitch curator, selection panel member and team manager'', Dungarpur said.

''His work at the Wankhede Stadium and even more importantly at the Mumbai Cricket Association's Bandra-Kurla complex was simply outstanding'', Dungarpur said.

Even Sharad Pawar (BCCI and MCA chief) used to marvel how this man at his age could stand for four or five hours daily under the hot sun and supervise work at the Bandra-Kurla complex'', Dungarpur recalled.

UNI GS SD AY DB1845