Well-known former Indian batsman Dilip Sardesai died in a hospital because of organ failure, a doctor said Tuesday. He was 67.

Sardesai, who had been receiving dialysis treatment for kidney failure over the past four years, died on Monday, said B.K. Goyal, dean of Bombay Hospital.

Popularly known as one of India's most dependable batsman in the middle order, Sardesai played a vital role in India's test series victory in the West Indies in 1971 and in another series win at home against New Zealand in 1965.

Her scored more than 600 runs against a formidable West Indian pace attack during his test cricket career from 1961 to 1973. He hit 2,001 runs in 30 tests, inclusive of two double hundreds.

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh described Sardesai as a great sportsman.

Sardesai is survived by his wife, one son and a daughter.

He was to be cremated later Tuesday.