Former BCCI chief PM. Rungta passes away

Mumbai, July 12 (IANS) Purshottam Rungta, former president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), died here Thursday after prolonged illness. He was 84.

Rungta was the BCCI President for a three-year term between 1972-75 and was also the longest-serving president of the Rajasthan Cricket Association, managing its affairs for over three decades.

Popularly known as 'Bhaiji', Rungta, was suffering from a terminal illness. He collapsed Wednesday night and passed away in the early hours of Thursday.

Rungta's brother Kishen was a former Rajasthan captain and chairman of selection committee and his son Kishore was a BCCI treasurer.

Rungta was a key player in the BCCI affairs for over four decades

BCCI President N. Srinivasan described him as an "invaluable guide".

"Mr. Rungta was an individual who lived and breathed cricket. He served the BCCI with distinction as its President, and was an invaluable guide in later years. He will always be missed," Srinivasan said in his condolence message.

Offering his condolences, BCCI secretary Sanjay Jagdale recalled his services to the Board.

"The BCCI owes a lot to Rungta. He served the Board with distinction, as President, and in several other capacities. He worked hard to make Indian cricket a force to reckon with," Jagdale said.

Jaywant Lele, former BCCI secretary and a close associate of Rungta, said he was highly respected by the Board members and was a regular at all annual general meetings of the Board till 2000.