Name:

Chetan Pratap Singh Chauhan

Nickname:

Chetandra

Date of Birth:

21 Jul 1947

Gender:

Men

Place of Birth:

Bareilly, United Provinces, British India (now in Uttar Pradesh, India)

Date Died:

16 Aug 2020

Career:

Test: 1969 - 1981
ODI: 1978 - 1981

Teams:

India (Country)

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Chetan Chauhan: Famed opening partnership with Gavaskar but lacked a Test century 

Chetandra Pratap Singh “Chetan” Chauhan (21 July 1947 – 16 August 2020) was an Indian opening batsman known for his steadfast technique, mental resilience, and one of the most successful opening partnerships in Indian Test cricket alongside Sunil Gavaskar.

Across 40 Tests between 1969 and 1981, he accrued 2,084 runs at an average of 31.57, with a highest score of 97—ironically making him the first player to amass over 2,000 Test runs without ever scoring a century.

Born in Bareilly and raised in Pune, Chauhan starred in domestic cricket for Maharashtra and Delhi, eventually forging 3,127 runs in 59 opening stands with Gavaskar—11 of which yielded century partnerships—and producing titanic innings such as his gritty 88 in Perth (1977) and an 80 at the Oval (1979) during India’s memorable chase of 438.

Loved and respected for his courage against pace bowling, his resilience off-field paralleled his on-field dedication.

Post-retirement, he served as a selector, manager of the national team, held leadership roles in the DDCA, received the Arjuna Award in 1981, and later entered politics as a two‑time MP and Uttar Pradesh cabinet minister.

He passed away in 2020 due to complications from COVID‑19 and multi‑organ failure, leaving a legacy defined by grit, loyalty, and quiet dignity