On Tuesday, the former Indian cricketer Yashpal Sharma suffered a cardiac arrest and died due to it. The 66-year-old was also a player of the 1983 World Cup-winning Indian cricket team. As per sources, the former batsman died of a heart attack. His medical condition worsened on Tuesday morning at around 7:30 A.M. Yashpal Sharma leaves behind his wife Renu Sharma, two daughters Puja, Preeti and son Chirag Sharma.
Cricketing Journey of Yashpal Sharma
Sharma garnered attention for the very first time when he scored 260 against Jammu & Kashmir schools in 1972. He was playing for the Punjab schools. After two years, he started playing in the state team and was also a member of the North Zone team. Moreover, his team won the Vizzy Trophy. Venturing into first-class cricket, he hit 173 runs in the Duleep Trophy. His team was facing the South Zone having Chandrasekhar, Erapalli Prasanna and Venkataraghavan on their side.
The 66-year-old also took part in the Ranji Trophy. He represented three teams, Punjab, Haryana and Railways. Sharma played 160 matches, in which he scored 8,933 runs including twenty-one centuries. His highest score is 201 runs. Yashpal had a dynamic personality. He also worked as an umpire in some of the women’s ODI matches. Not to mention, he is the former coach of Uttar Pradesh’s Ranji team.
Bidding Him Farewell
Sachin Tendulkar tweeted, ‘Shocked and deeply pained by the demise of Yashpal Sharma ji. Have fond memories of watching him bat during the 1983 World Cup. His contribution to Indian cricket shall always be remembered. My sincere condolences to the entire Sharma family.’
“Saddened by the passing away of an ace cricketer He had an illustrious career & was India’s second-highest run-getter at the 1983 World Cup. He was also an umpire and national selector. His contribution won’t be forgotten,” Union Minister for I&B and Youth Affairs & Sports, Anurag Thakur paid tribute in his tweet.
“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,” former India captain Dilip Vengsarkar said in a conversation with PTI.
Rest in Peace, Sir.