Former Indian cricket captain Vijay Hazare was in a critical condition, according to a doctor attending on him.

Hazare, 89, has been suffering from cancer for the past seven years.

His health, however, worsened last week, following which he was admitted to a private hospital in his hometown of Vadodara, 110 km from here.

"Though we are trying our best, the disease has spread through the body. We have consulted experts from across the country and their opinion is that not much could be done at this stage," S.R. Iyengar, a doctor told a local television channel.

He described Hazare's condition as critical but stable.

Hazare, one of India's all-time cricket greats, captained the national team in 14 of his 30 Tests in the 1940's and 1950's, scoring 2,192 runs at an impressive average of 47.65, with seven centuries.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has sanctioned Rs.200,000 for his treatment, said Kiran More, the BCCI selection committee chief and secretary of the Baroda Cricket Association.

"The Board has already been taking care of treatment expenses," said More, who keeps in touch with the family.

While Hazare's son Ranijt is in Malaysia, his wife Ramilaben and daughters Sashi and Usha, are by his side.