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'One of a kind', says Kapil Dev

Former India captain Kapil Dev and opener Abbas Ali Baig said M L Jaisimha, who passed away today, had left an indelible mark on Indian cricket with his stylish batting and gentlemanly behaviour both on and off the field.

"Jaisimha was a player of very high calibre. His batting style was very attractive," said Kapil Dev, in his condolence message.

"Honestly I have no words to describe the sad demise of such a stylish player. The whole cricket world will miss him .

> The world's highest Test wicket-taker said Jaisimha "was one of a kind, he was a very attractive batsman. I have played against him in some tournaments including Moin ud Daula Cup and though by then his career was coming to an end, he still displayed class in his batting. My heartfelt condolences to his family."

Abbas Ali Baig, Jaisimha's close friend, said, "I don't know what to say. I spoke to him only two days ago and he sounded quiet cheerful. I must admit he was very brave, because he knew his end was near.

"He and I virtually grew up together. Our cricket careers ran parallel from the beginning to the end. I admired him greatly, as a player of immense ability. He was a gentleman cricketer and a tremmendous friend. May his soul rest in peace," Baig added.

Former India captain and opening batsman Krishnamachari Srikkanth today expressed shock at the death of Jaisimha.

''I admired him very much in his playing days. As a shrewd captain and later as a national selector, Jaisimha has given me invaluable tips and advise.

''He was a great student of the game. His demise is a great loss to the cricketing fraternity,'' Srikkanth said.

Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu meanwhile expressed shock and grief over the demise of Jaisimha.

Recalling him as a stylish batsman, Naidu said his speciality was that he played at his best when his team most needd him to perform.

Recalling Jaisimha's performances with the bat including his record of batting on all five days of a Test, Naidu said with the passing away of the great cricketer, Indian cricket had not only lost a great player but also a shrewed cricketing brain and an able commentator.

Naidu said that with Jaisimha's death, Hyderabad had lost two great cricketers in a span of nine months -- a reference to the passing away of Ghulam Ahmed late last year.

Tamil Nadu Cricket Association president Dr A C Muthiah and secretary Ashok Khumbat condoled the death of Jaisimha, and sent messages to the bereaved family.

Muthaiah in his message described Jaisimha as a shrewd captain, a stylish batsman and a charming cricketer.

Former TN leg spinner V V Kumar, who played for South Zone under Jaisimha's captaincy, said ''We played together for two decades. He was the best captain I have played under.His knowledge of the game was such that he was poised to reach greater heights, but for some unfortunate reasons.

''Indian cricket has lost a very prominent personality,'' kumar said.

Former Hyderabad off spinner V ramnarayan, who played much of his cricket under Jaisimha, was moved to tears when contacted with the news.''It is a great loss,'' he lamented.

"He was a rare species among cricketers, an aesthetic player who never did anything ugly on the cricket field."

Paying glowing tributes to Jaisimha's ability, Rmnarayan said "Science and art blended in his batting, which was a cross of defence and stylishly executed strokes.

"Jaisimha was always a great team man. He believed in team spirit.

''He would have made a great captain had he got the chance to lead india," Ramnarayan said, calling Jaisimha a father figure in Hyderabad cricket.

UNI