Milind Rege, former Mumbai cricket captain, passed away from a heart attack shortly after his 76th birthday. A prominent player from 1966-77, he took 126 wickets and scored 1,532 runs in first-class matches. Post-retirement, Rege served the Mumbai Cricket Association in various roles, including selector, where he notably included Sachin Tendulkar in the 1988 Ranji Trophy squad. Renowned for his passion for Mumbai cricket, he had a strong influence on players. His friend Sunil Gavaskar honored him, highlighting his dedication and resilience. Tributes poured in, with teams observing a minute’s silence in his memory during a Ranji Trophy match.
Milind Rege, the former captain of Mumbai, passed away from a heart attack on Wednesday, just a few days after celebrating his 76th birthday.
During his career from 1966-67 to 1977-78, Rege took 126 wickets with his offbreak deliveries in 52 first-class matches, while amassing 1532 runs at an average of 23.56. Following his playing days, he remained closely involved with the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) in various roles, serving as both a selector and chief selector during different periods.
Rege was part of the Mumbai selection committee when a young Sachin Tendulkar was included in the Ranji Trophy team in 1988. In 2006, he endorsed the use of a video analyst in domestic cricket, making Mumbai one of the early adopters of this innovative tool in the sport.
Additionally, Rege was a childhood friend of Sunil Gavaskar. They played together at Dadar Union Sporting Club, and Gavaskar paid heartfelt tribute: “He was like my elder brother. We lived in buildings opposite each other and grew up together, attending the same school and college. We played tennis-ball cricket in the compound. He represented Mumbai in Ranji before I did and, like Shardul Thakur, Tanush Kotian, and Shams Mulani have done this year, Milind was always there to support us when the so-called top order faltered. He had the talent to play for India, but with Prasanna and Venkataraghavan around, he wasn’t able to break through.”
“When he was just 24, he suffered his first heart attack. His love for Mumbai cricket and his determination to return speaks volumes about his character, as he made a comeback a few years later and even went on to captain Mumbai.”
“Last week, when he was first admitted to the hospital, I told him that Mumbai had gained a small lead against Haryana, and you could see how it brightened his spirits. For him, Mumbai cricket was his entire life. Yes, he had strong opinions, which sometimes ruffled feathers, but no one could doubt his passion and dedication to Mumbai cricket.”
“Playing for Mumbai meant earning your cap and fighting to keep it,” Rege shared with ESPNcricinfo in 2017, just before Mumbai’s 500th Ranji Trophy match. “Vijay Merchant, Madhav Mantri, [Polly] Umrigar, and Manohar Hardikar were the selectors when I was picked. They were not just selectors; they were legends of Mumbai cricket. They were all disciplinarians and great captains. One failure, and you were out, which made every innings count. This principle was ingrained at every level, especially in club cricket, which is one of the great legacies of Mumbai cricket.”
In remembrance of Rege, both the Mumbai and Vidarbha teams held a minute’s silence before the third day’s play of the ongoing Ranji Trophy semi-final in Nagpur. The Mumbai players, many of whom began their first-class careers during his tenure as selection chair, wore black armbands as a tribute.
“I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Milind Rege sir,” MCA president Ajinkya Naik said in a statement. “A stalwart of Mumbai cricket, his roles as a player, selector, and mentor were invaluable. His influence shaped generations of cricketers, and his legacy will be forever remembered. May his soul rest in peace. My heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones.”
Since 2020, Rege has served as an advisor at MCA.
