Sourav Ganguly's father passes away

Former India captain Sourav Ganguly's father Chandidas Ganguly passed away on Thursday after a prolonged illness.

He was 73 and is survived by wife Nirupa and two sons, first-class cricketer Snehasish and Sourav.

Ganguly senior was seriously ill with high blood sugar and was given insulins regularly while being treated at home.

"His condition deteriorated in the evening and was rushed to the MP Birla Heart Reserach centre. He passed away around 6.30 pm, while being on the way," Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) joint secretary Sujan Mukherjee said.

His body will be brought to CAB for final homage before the funeral.

Ganguly senior had played a significant role in shaping the career of both his sons Snehasish and Sourav.

As a kid Sourav would accompany his elder brother Snehashish to Eden Gardens in Kolkata as their father put them under the tutelage of current Saurashtra coach Debu Mitra.

"I don't have words to express. It's really a very sad moment for me. I really don't know what to say," an upset Debu Mitra said.

Ganguly senior also sent Sourav to play minor county under the watchful eyes of Mitra in England during the late 1980s as his cricketing career got off after getting into the triumphant Ranji Trophy side in 1989-90 under Sambaran Banerjee.

He had served Cricket Association of Bengal in various capacities starting as assistant secretary in 1974-75.

He went on to become treasurer, secretary, vice-president and member of trustee board but he stopped going to CAB after Ganguly was dropped from the Test side in 2005.