Former India football captain Krishanu Dey, who ruled the national scene in the 1980s, is fighting for life at a Kolkata hospital with severe lung, kidney and liver infections.

Dey, 40, admitted to hospital on Friday, has been diagnosed with "pulmonary embolism" or blood clotting in the lungs. He is also suffering from kidney failure and liver problems.

Dey, whose career spanned more than a decade, is now on a ventilator and his condition has been described by attending doctors at the Woodlands Nursing Home as "critical". He is said to be in deep coma.

About 10 days ago, doctors performed surgery to try and remove the clot.

A wily striker with a strong and accurate header, Dey captained India at the 1992 Asia Cup qualifier against Japan. His hat-trick in the Merdeka Cup in 1986 stood as a record for more than 12 years.

His footballing career was mostly spent with East Bengal and Mohun Bagan, but towards the later years he played much of his football with Food Corporation of India (FCI).

Share your comments

What do you think about the story? Read what others have to say: Number of User Comments: 6 Sub: Krishanu I am in deep sorrow as this man has memerised me imy chilhood days by his unthinkable left foot...he was a classy and stylish footballer...we ... Posted by shamik Das Chowdhury Sub: Get well soon I know he will come up against his ailing health as he has always been a real fighter Posted by deepak Sub: WISHING KRISHANU DEY A SPEEDY RECOVERY I am disturbed to know that Krishanu is critically ill.I have seen several of his matches during the 80's when he donned the colours of ... Posted by G SRIRAM Sub: prayers as a former goal keeper 5 decades ago in my school days,i feel sorry for his condition and pray the almighty to give him strength ... Posted by karunanithi Sub: Football player's fate in india only cricket is uplifted. every guy in india know only about cricket. there are really good players in india for most of the ... Posted by Prinu