The Indian cricket fraternity is mourning the death of former Indian Test opener Madhav Apte who breathed his last on Monday at the age of 86.

Apte was admitted to the Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai where he passed away. He would have turned 87 on 5 October. The cricket fraternity has paid tributes to the former Indian cricketer and administrator.

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Batting legend Sachin Tendulkar took to Twitter to condole his passing away and tweeted, “Have fond memories of Madhav Apte Sir. I got to play against him at Shivaji Park when I was 14. Still remember the time when he and Dungarpur Sir let me play for the CCI as a 15-year old. He always supported me and was a well wisher. May his Soul Rest in peace.”

Have fond memories of Madhav Apte Sir.
I got to play against him at Shivaji Park when I was 14.
Still remember the time when he & Dungarpur Sir let me play for the CCI as a 15-year old. He always supported me & was a well wisher.
May his Soul Rest In Peace🙏 pic.twitter.com/NKp6NicyO5

— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) September 23, 2019

Former India Under-19 World Cup-winning captain and Natwest Hero Mohammad Kaif remembered Madhav Apte as a great storyteller.

“Saddened to hear about the demise of Madhav Apte ji. Great story teller and played cricket till he was 71. My thoughts and prayers with his family,” he tweeted.

Saddened to hear about the demise of Madhav Apte ji. Great story teller and played cricket till he was 71. My thoughts and prayers with his family. pic.twitter.com/zoKlpQ2Gay

— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) September 23, 2019

Another Indian opener Wasim Jaffer tweeted, “He had a Test average touching 50 despite not getting enough opportunities. Played active cricket till he was 71. A legend of Mumbai and Indian cricket passed away today. You will be missed Madhav Apte sir.”

He had a test average touching 50 despite not getting enough opportunities. Played active cricket till he was 71. A legend of Mumbai and Indian cricket passed away today. You will be missed Madhav Apte sir. #MadhavApte #rip pic.twitter.com/cDoOTXBQWm

— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) September 23, 2019

“At a loss of words, hearing about the passing away of Madhav Apte Sir. I knew him as a kid and looked up to him for advice. He always motivated me and pushed me to do well. Both me and my father had the privilege of playing cricket with him. May your soul Rest in peace Sir!” tweeted Vinod Kambli, former Indian cricketer and Mumbai cricket veteran.

At a loss of words, hearing about the passing away of Madhav Apte Sir.
I knew him as a kid and looked up to him for advice. He always motivated me and pushed me to do well.
Both me and my father had the privilege of playing cricket with him.
May your soul Rest in Peace Sir!🙏 pic.twitter.com/Z77PL9sFDu

— VINOD KAMBLI (@vinodkambli349) September 23, 2019

“He will remain one of the most loved cricketers and the BCCI extends its deepest condolences to his family and friends in this hour of grief,” the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) also stated in a media report released by them.

“Former cricketer Madhav Apte passes away this morning. Mumbai Cricket Association extends heartfelt condolences to the family,” Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) tweeted.

Former Cricketer Shri. Madhav Apte passes away this morning. Mumbai Cricket Association extend heartfelt condolences to the family.

— Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) (@MumbaiCricAssoc) September 23, 2019

Between 1952 and 1953, Apte played as many as seven Tests for India. He amassed 542 runs in these seven Tests which included one century and three fifties. He even had an extremely healthy average of 49.27. He played 67 First-class matches scoring 3,336 runs with six hundreds and 16 half-centuries.

In 1989, he was elected to the office of the President of the Cricket Club of India (CCI). He also went to serve as the Chief of the Legend’s club.