Former Board of Control for Cricket in India President P.M. Rungta died here on Thursday after prolonged illness, the BCCI said. He turned 84 on July 7.
“An institution is gone,” said Kishore Rungta of his father. “He had tea and biscuits last Saturday (July 7), lapsed into a coma at 7.30 in the morning and did not regain consciousness. He battled for four days,’’ said Kishore.
Popularly known as “Bhaiji” to cricketers and administrators, Purushottam Rungta was Vice-President of the BCCI from 1963-64 to 1971-72 and president for three years from 1972-1975.
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He was also the BCCI treasurer for six months in 1992. “Madhav Mantri resigned as BCCI Treasurer when he lost to Manohar Joshi in the Bombay Cricket Association elections and the then BCCI President Madhavrao Scindia nominated Rungta as Treasurer till the AGM of the BCCI,’’ said Jaywant Lele, former BCCI secretary.
P.M. Rungta was also President of the Rajasthan Cricket Association for many years.
Acknowledging Rungta’s contribution to the game, the BCCI President N. Srinivasan said: “Mr. Rungta was an individual who breathed cricket. He served the BCCI with distinction as its President, and was an invaluable guide in later years. He will always be missed.’’
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“The BCCI owes a lot to P.M. Rungta. He served the Board with distinction as President and in several other capacities. He worked hard to make Indian cricket a force to reckon with. May his soul rest in peace,’’ said Sanjay Jagdale, Secretary, BCCI.