_d.png "Independence Day 2025")
Cricket legends Sunil Gavaskar, Sachin Tendulkar and Vinod Kambli paid their last respects to Madhav Apte
Batting icon Sunil Gavaskar pays his last respects to Madhav Apte as Mumbai Cricket Association administrator Navin Shetty looks on at the Shivaji Park crematorium yesterday. Pic/ Suresh Karkera
Sachin's 'fond memories'
Meanwhile, cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar paid his tribute on Twitter: "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 [Cricket Club of India] as a 15-year old. He always supported me & was a well wisher. May his Soul Rest In Peace."
Kambli grateful
Tendulkar's childhood friend Vinod Kambli remembered Apte for being "approachable and generous with his time and tips." Apte was president of CCI when Sachin Tendulkar and Kambli played for the club in their teens.
"It was special to play half-day matches with Madhav Kaka. He was a Test player and a big personality but he was so," said Kambli.
He added: "Madhav Kaka had played cricket with my dad too (the late Ganpat Kambli). He always enquired about him."
Chandrakant Patankar, 88, the oldest living Test player from Mumbai, worked at Apte's Laxmi Vishnu Mills for around 20 years from 1969. "Madhav never introduced me as an employee. It was always, 'this is my friend Chandu or meet my colleague Patankar.' He was a friendly boss. At office, we spoke a lot about cricket," said Patankar.
Catch up on all the latest sports news and updates here. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
