A businessman known for his marketing acumen, Dalmiya was a key figure in bringing the 1987 and 1996 cricket World Cups to the sub-continent. He took over as BCCI president for a second time earlier this year, after a gap of nearly a decade, but had not been keeping well for the past few months.

A key figure in the BCCI ever since he joined it in 1979, Dalmiya played a major role in helping it to emerge as the wealthiest cricket board in the world, with the lifestyles of India's leading cricketers being transformed. His stint as the first Asian head of the ICC marked a shift in the game's balance of power from the old superpowers, England and Australia, towards Asia, particularly India. It was a controversial tenure, but even his detractors acknowledged that he opened their eyes to the game's revenue-making potential.

Dalmiya's death plunged the cricket fraternity into a grief as reactions poured in from former cricketers and administrators condoling his demise.

President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the nation in mourning Dalmiya.