London: Raj Singh Dungarpur was an "uncompromising devotee" of Indian cricket responsible for launching batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar, British newspaper Times said in a tribute to the former BCCI president, who passed away a couple of weeks ago.
In an obituary, The Times described Dungarpur as "cricketer, selector, president of the Cricket Club of India and manager in 1986 of one of the most successful Indian sides to tour England."
"Dungarpur was an uncompromising devotee of Indian cricket, credited with launching the international career of Sachin Tendulkar and championing the captaincy skills of Mohammad Azharuddin.
Dungarpur was chairman of the Indian selectors when Tendulkar was chosen to play in his first Test in 1989.
"Few would have considered allowing anyone to play at the highest level at such a young age. At Dungarpur's request Tendulkar appeared first against Pakistan," it said.
"A purist and connoisseur whose idealism led him to look askance at moves to change the game - by introducing the quickfire Twenty20 version, for instance - he served as a selector, a coach and a player."
In 1986, Dungarpur was manager of one of the most successful Indian sides ever to tour England, winning a three-Test series 2-0. He was twice a member of India's national selection committee, in the second instance as chairman.
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