Former cricketer Yashpal Sharma passed away on Tuesday after suffering a cardiac arrest. He was 66 and is survived by his wife, two daughters and a son.
According to sources, Yashpal collapsed at home after returning from his morning walk.
He was part of 1983 World Cup-winning team. In his international career, Yashpal played 37 Tests, scoring 1,606 runs, and 42 ODIs in which he made 883.
He was famous for his gutsy attitude and his stroke-filled half-century in the semi-final against England in the 1983 campaign at the Old Trafford will forever be remembered. He was also a national selector during the early part of 2000s.
Ex- India captain Dilip Vengsarkar expressed his shock on his demise “It is unbelievable. He was the fittest among all of us. I had asked him that day when we met how about his routine. He was a vegetarian, teetotaller, used to have soup for his dinner and very particular about his morning walks. I am just shocked,” Vengsarkar said.
“As a player, he was a proper team man and a fighter. I fondly remember the 1979 Test against Pakistan in Delhi. We both had a partnership which helped us save the game. I knew him since my university days. Still can’t believe it,” he added.
He was an umpire too and stood in a couple of women’s ODIs. The multi-faceted former player also served as coach of the Uttar Pradesh Ranji team.
His last Test for India was against the West Indians soon after the famous 1983 World Cup triumph.
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