Mumbai cricket goes poorer with demise of Mankad: Vengsarkar

Chief selector Dilip Vengsarkar on Friday condoled the death of Ashok Mankad and said Mumbai cricket has become poorer with the passing away of the former Test player.

“His service to Mumbai cricket has been phenomenal. He was an excellent captain also. He was a very humorous character, who kept the dressing room very lively. His death came as a big shock. It’s a great loss to Mumbai cricket,” Vengsarkar, the 116-Test veteran, said.

Vengsarkar said that Mankad (61), nicknamed ‘Kaka’ by his friends and teammates, played for Mumbai with a lot of pride and always with the aim to win.

“He played with a lot of pride for Mumbai. He was always a fighter and played for a win. He adopted the same policy when he played for his employers Mafatlal in the Times Shield Tournament. That’s why their run of success was phenomenal,” he added.