Arun Jaitley, former BCC♕I vice-president, 🧔passed away aged 66, on Saturday (August 24) due to an illness.
ඣJaitley, who has been associated with Indian cricket since the 1990s, also served as the President of the Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA)🅠 for almost 14 years.
“A remarkable statesman, Mr Jaitley was a passionate cricket follower and will always be remembered as one of the most able and respected cricket administrators,” the BCCI said in their statement condoling Jaitley’s death.
“During his long tenure as the President of the Delhi & District Cricket Association, he brought about a tremendous change in the cricketing infrastructure.
“A close friend of the cricketers, he always stood by them, encouraged them and supported them in their quest for excellence.”
Virat Kohli, the Indian skipper, also paid tribute to the former administrator: “Shocked & saddened to hear about the passing away of Shri Arun Jaitley ji. He was genuinely a good person, always willing to help others. He took out his precious time back in 2006 when my father passed away to come to my home and pay his condolences. May his soul rest in peace.”
Here’s how the cricketing fraternity reacted on Twitter:
Saddened to hear about the demise of Shri Arun Jaitley. He donned several hats successfully, including t🍨hat of a cricket administrator. India has lost a distinguished parliamentarian. My condolences to his family and friends.
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt)
Shocked𝄹 & saddened to hear about the passing away of Shri Arun Jaitley ji. He was genuinely a good person, always willing to help others. He took out his precious time back in 2006 when my father൩ passed away to come to my home & pay his condolences. May his soul rest in peace.
— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli)
Deeply saddened on the passing away of Ji My deepest condolences to his family. His contribution towardꦬs our country & cricket has been priceless. May his soul rest in eternal peace 🙏
— Yuvraj Singh (@YUVSTRONG12)
But under his leadership at the DDCA, many players including me got a chance to represent India. He listened to needs of the players & was a problem solver. P𝔍ersonally shared a very beautiful relationship with him. My thoughts & prayers are with his family & loved ones. Om Shanti
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag)
A father teaches u to speak but a father figure teaches u to talk. A father teaches u to walk but a father figure teaches u to march on. A father gives u a name but a fathꦐer figure givౠes u an identity. A part of me is gone with my Father Figure Shri Arun Jaitley Ji. RIP Sir.
— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir)
Saddened by the passing aw༺ay of Shri Arun Jaitley. Besides being a successful lawyer, a former Minister and a Member of Parliament, he was a great lover of the game of Cricket.
— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99)
Deeply saddened by the untim♐ely demise of Shri. Arun Jaitley. Fondly remember our conversations around cricket. His contributions in every field will remain unpar𒈔alleled. My heartfelt condolences to his family and friends. 🙏🏽
— Anil Kumble (@anilkumble1074)
Rest in Peace ji. 🙏🏻
It is a huge loss to the nation.
My🔯 hea🌌rtfelt condolences to his family and friends.— Vinod Kambli (@vinodkambli349)
RIP Ji.. My sincere condolences♉ to 𒁃your family and loved ones 🙏
— Shikhar Dhawan (@SDhawan25)
Saddened to learn about the passing away of Shri ji. My deepest condol🎃ences to his family, friends and admirers. Om Shanti !
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281)
Deeply sadd🙈ened by the demise of ji. My heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones 🙏🏽
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif)
Our country loses yet another great leader. He was not only an able politician and advocate but also an authoritative cricket administrator. j𒊎i
— Pragyan Ojha (@pragyanojha)
Grieved to know about the demise of sir. Heartfelt condolences to the family. May his soul r🤪est in peace.
— Mohammed Azharuddin (@azharflicks)
Deeply saddened to hear Sir has passed away. Was fortunate to have his blessings throughout.Apart from being a devoted politician he was a die hard cricket fan.His support from my early days at DDCA has been tremendous. U will b missed sir.Big l🐻oss to the nation. RIP
— Unmukt Chand (@UnmuktChand9)
Deeply saddened to hear that Mr. Arun Jaitley is no more. A scholar…a cricket lover. Always helpful. Would remember the names of the kids doing well at U-19 level too. World will be poorer in your absence, sir.
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash)
Extremely saddened to he🅺ar that sir is no more. A stalwart in politics, he also played a stellar role in the growth of Delhi cricket. His help transformed the careers of many players. We will miss ꧃you.
— Parvinder Awana (@ParvinderAwana)
Deeply saddened and pained on the demise of ji .A visionary and luminary par excellence.Always helped and 💫had time for cricketers at DDCA . Beautiful memories will always remain with me ,condolences to the family and close ones shanti!! 🙏
— MithunManhas5 (@MithunManhas)
Multiple roles, extreme talent anꦆd skill. A big loss as ji leaves us, may his soul rest in peace.
— R P Singh रुद्र प्रताप सिंह (@rpsingh)
My heartfelt condolences to the family and followers of Ji. Will always remember your co꧟ntributions towards cricket, RIP Sir. 🙏
— Robbie Uthappa (@robbieuthappa)
