Mumbai: As the news of Hanumant Singh’s death spread, condolences and tributes flowed in from the cricketing fraternity. They felt Chhotu (Hanumant’s nickname) should have played more than 14 Tests.

Here are excerpts from what his one-time teammates and others had to say (alphabetically):

RAJ SINGH DUNGARPUR: I am rushing for the funeral (from Dungarpur). I am not in a frame of mind to talk now.

BAPU NADKARNI: Hanumant was the most unlucky cricketer and should have played much more for India. He would have been the ideal batsman against pace bowling on the 1967-68 tour of Australia, especially after the way he played against them at home (1964). He missed out as he was strangely declared medically unfit for that tour due to a knee bruise but went on to play 10 more years in domestic cricket. Chhotu was a gentleman to the core with a deep knowledge of the game. He had a natural grace. Like Rusi Modi, he was poetry in motion while batting.

PERCY SONN (ICC president): I am deeply shocked and saddened to hear this news and would like to take this opportunity to pass on my sincere condolences to Hanumant’s family and friends. People like Hanumant are the lifeblood of our sport who first entertain as players and then give something back to the game after they finish playing.

AJIT WADEKAR: Hanumant was one of the finest batsmen I played with or against. He had all the strokes. He was a perfect team man. I wish he had played more Test cricket. He was our (Bombay and West Zone) major thorn representing Rajasthan and Central Zone. We knew if we could get him, the rest would follow. I and Hanumant joined the SBI on the same day, August 8, 1965. We were a close-knit group of five — Hanumant, Budhi (Kunderan), Baloo (Gupte), Jimmy (Sharad) Diwadkar, and I. We were always together. Of the lot, I am the only one left... Very sad. He was very serious about the game throughout, even after he retired, and was involved in coaching. He was a very knowledgeable cricketer.