Former India football captain Krishanu Dey, comatosed for the last 24 hours following a pulmonary disorder, died at a private city hospital in Kolkata on Thursday.

The end came early this morning, attending doctor S Maitra said.

Dey (40) is survived by his father, wife and son.

The ace footballer of yesteryear had been battling for life with severe lung, kidney and liver infections. He was transferred to hospital from a city nursing home on Tuesday after developing breathing problems.

Regarded as one of the most creative play-making strikers in the eighties and early nineties, Dey donned national colours in various tournaments, including the 1986 Asiad, Merdeka, pre-Olympics and SAFF Games, and led India in the 1992 Asia Cup.

Beginning his career in the local league with the Police team, in 1979, he had a two-year stint with Port Trust before joining Mohun Bagan in 1982 and soon becoming the darling of Kolkata's soccer-crazy fans with his skills and precision through passes.

Basically a left-footed player, he also had a long stint with East Bengal, for whom he first played in 1985. Towards the end of his career, he played for his employer Food Corporation of India, which decided to field a team in the local league.

With close friend, medio Bikash Panji, Dey struck up a lethal combination. The duo caused terror in the opposition ranks whenever they played together. With rival defenders even going for rough tackles to check him, Dey became prone to injury.