• Home
  • Cricket News
  • Who Was Milind Rege Veteran Mumbai Captain Who Passed Away On February 19

Who Was Milind Rege? Veteran Mumbai Captain Who Passed Away On February 19

Akshita Patel

Milind Rege passed away on February 19 due to health issues [Source: @BCCI/X.com]Milind Rege passed away on February 19 due to health issues [Source: @BCCI/X.com]

Story continues below ADVERTISEMENT

In an unfortunate turn of events, one of the gems of Mumbai Cricket, former player Milind Rege, succumbed to a heart attack on February 19, 2025. Just a day earlier, he had celebrated his 76th birthday.

Within a short while, condolence messages flowed in from the cricket community. MCA issued a statement expressing sympathy to the family and fans.

Moreover, former India cricketer and coach Ravi Shastri described Rege as a "mentor par excellence" and a "true champion of Mumbai and Tata's cricket." 

Further, Mumbai and Vidarbha sides of the current Ranji Trophy semi-final held a minute's silence in his honour, while players of Mumbai wore black armbands.

Who was Milind Rege?

Milind Rege played for Mumbai in first-class cricket between 1966-67 and 1977-78, claiming 126 wickets with his off-spin and making 1532 runs at an average of 23.56 in 52 games.

But his legacy goes well beyond his playing years, as he went on to become a well-respected selector and administrator of the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA).

One of his greatest achievements was being a Mumbai selector when 15-year-old Sachin Tendulkar was included in the Ranji Trophy team in 1988.

He also advocated for the use of video analysis in domestic cricket in 2006, making Mumbai one of the pioneers in utilising technology in Indian cricket.

A childhood friend of Sunil Gavaskar, Rege played alongside him at Dadar Union Sporting Club. At just the age of 26, he had already suffered a heart attack but strode back firmly to cricket.

First as a consultant and later as a member of the MCA's Apex Council, he served as a guide for future generations of Mumbai cricketers. His contribution to Mumbai cricket will be remembered as the linchpin of the city's cricket heritage.