Page 44 - The Indian EYE 071621

SPORTS JULY 16, 2021 | The Indian Eye 44

yaShpal Sharma (1955-2021)

The unsung hero of 1983

World Cup who played key

role in crucial games

The middle-order batsman was the second highest run maker in the 1983 World Cup.

The Punjab batsman played his last game in international cricket in 1985 during the West Indies tour of India

Our Bureau sincere condolences to the en-

New Delhi tire Sharma family,” tweeted
Sachin Tendulkar.
ormer Indian cricket- Taking to Twitter, Yuvraj
er and 1983 World Cup Singh wrote: “Very sad news of
Fwinner Yashpal Sharma the untimely demise of Yashpal
passed away on Tuesday due to Sharma paaji. May his soul rest
a cardiac arrest. “Yashpal Shar- in peace. My condolences to his
ma passed away around 7:40 family and loved ones #Yash-
in the morning due to cardiac palSharma.”
arrest. He was declared dead Virender Sehwag also re-
on arrival,” sources close to the membered one of the heroes
family said. Yashpal had made of the 1983 World Cup win as
his debut for India in 1978 he tweeted: “So sorry to hear
against Pakistan in Sialkot. about #YashpalSharma Paaji ‘s
He scored 11 runs off 26 balls passing away, one of the heroes
as Pakistan defeated India by of our 1983 WC win. Heartfelt
eight wickets. condolences. Om Shanti.”
The 66-year-old former Krishnamachari Srikkanth,
cricketer played his first game the former teammate and
in the longest format in 1979 friend of Yashpal also condoled
against England at Lord’s. The the demise of the star cricketer.
right-handed batsman played He said: “Sad to hear the de-
37 Tests and 42 ODIs for India, mise of my former teammate
scoring 1606 and 883 respec- and friend #YashpalSharma!
tively in the formats. He was one of the main heroes
The right-handed batsman who helped us lifting the 1983
played a key role in India’s 1983 world cup! May his soul rest in
World Cup win. He had scored peace.”
11 runs in the final as India reg- The President of India Ram
istered a historic win over West Nath Kovind mourned the loss
Indies. of the former cricketer as he
Yashpal played his last game tweeted: “Sad to hear about
in international cricket in 1985 the demise of cricketer Yash-
during the West Indies tour of ment, scoring 240 runs which the whole country. pal Sharma. His remarkable
India. included two half-centuries “Shocked and deeply pained performances during the key
Yashpal was also an umpire -- a brave 89 in India’s open- by the demise of Yashpal Shar- matches in 1983 cricket World-
and national selector. ing game against West Indies ma ji. Have fond memories of Cup played a crucial role in one
A brilliant fielder and a gutsy and a match-winning 61 in the watching him bat during the of India’s greatest triumphs in
right-handed batsman, Shar- semi-final against England. 1983 World Cup. His contri- cricketing history. My deep-
ma was India’s second-highest His death sent shockwaves bution to Indian cricket shall est condolences to his family,
run-getter in the 1983 tourna- across the cricket fraternity and always be remembered. My Continued on next page... >>

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