Former Test captain passes away amid IPL 2026, entire cricket world is in mourning; Special connection with India

Former England Test captain Mike Smith passes away at the age of 92. The entire cricket world is in mourning due to the demise of Smith, who scored the first Test century against India.

England former captain Mike Smith passed away: A very sad news has come out from the England cricket world. Former England Test captain Mike Smith passes away at the age of 92. Information about his death was given by his former county club Warwickshire County Cricket Club on 18 May, after which there was a wave of mourning in the entire cricket world.

Mike Smith was not only a brilliant batsman but also a versatile player. Smith, who batted wearing glasses, was famous as MJK Smith and played 50 test matches for England. The special thing was that along with cricket, he also represented England in rugby union.

Scored the first international century against India

Mike Smith made his Test debut against New Zealand in 1958, while played his last Test match against Australia in 1972. In his long first class career, he scored approximately 40 thousand runs and scored 72 centuries. He has three centuries to his name in Test cricket, of which he scored the first century against India at Old Trafford in 1959.

England got a new identity under captaincy

Mike Smith’s career brightened even more after batting in the middle order. He captained England in 25 Test matches, in which the team won 5 while 17 matches were drawn. His captaincy started with the 1963-64 tour of India and the special thing was that under his captaincy, England had to face defeat in only three Test matches.

Mike Smith remained associated with sports even after cricket

Even after retiring from cricket, Mike Smith remained continuously associated with the game. He first served as a referee and later became chairman of the Warwickshire club from 1991 to 2003. His tenure is considered the club’s golden era, as during this period the team won seven major titles, including two consecutive County Championship trophies.

Emotional tribute given on the field

A minute’s silence was observed in tribute to Mike Smith before kick-off on day four of the County Championship match between Warwickshire and Glamorgan on 18 May. While expressing grief over his death in a social media post, the Warwickshire club wrote that the club has lost one of its biggest legends.