Yashpal Sharma Death | 1983 World Cup winning team members express their condolence to Yashpal Sharma

New Delhi: Former India batsman Yashpal Sharma, who was a member of the 1983 World Cup winning team, died on Tuesday at the age of 66. His former colleagues cannot believe this news. Former India all-rounder Kirti Azad, who was his teammate in the 1983 World Cup, told IANS, “Our team is broken. We have lost the backbone of our team. He was the backbone of the middle-order. He was a simple person. He was very disciplined. He had neither a big vice nor a small vice. He was the fittest of all of us. He was conscious about fitness. Used to exercise regularly. It’s hard to believe he’s no more.

Madan Lal shocked by Yashpal’s death

Another of his 1983 World Cup teammate, all-rounder Madan Lal, is in a state of shock. Before going to Sharma’s house, Lal told IANS, “I have just heard the news. I am in a state of shock. I still can’t believe it. I can’t say anything at the moment. Fast bowler Balwinder Sandhu, who opened the bowling with captain Kapil Dev in the tournament, also cannot believe the news. Sandhu told IANS, ‘Absolutely shocking news. Never thought that he would die at such a young age. We met on June 25 (at the time of the release of a book). He seemed absolutely fit and fit and was happy to share the achievements of his two daughters. He was more concerned about my health, told me to lose weight.’

‘I can’t accept, I love you Yash’

The captain of that team was seen broken during a TV show on Kapil news channel ABP. A tearful Kapil said, ‘I can’t accept it. I love you Yash. Kapil was in Mumbai and has reached Delhi for the last glimpse of Yashpal. The entire team, including Sharma, had gathered in Gurugram on June 25 last month for the release of a luxury limited-edition book Opus, which is based on India’s 1983 World Cup victory. Sharma suffered a heart attack after returning from the morning walk and collapsed at around 7.30 am. At this time he breathed his last.

Was the backbone of India’s middle order in the World Cup

The right-handed batsman, who was the backbone of India’s middle order in the 1983 World Cup, played 37 Test matches, scoring 1606 runs and scoring 883 runs in 42 ODIs. He also played 160 first-class matches representing Punjab, Haryana and Railways and scored 8933 runs. But he is best remembered internationally for his performance in India’s first World Cup victory in 1983. He was the second highest run-scorer for India in the tournament after captain Kapil Dev. Yashpal scored 240 runs in the World Cup at an average of 34.28.

Sharma had scored 89 (off 120 balls) in his first match of the 1983 World Cup to help India make 262/8 in their 34-run victory over West Indies. That win in Manchester gave India the confidence to move on and win the tournament. Yashpal played 37 Tests and 42 ODIs for India between 1978 and 1985. A one-and-a-half middle-order batsman, Yashpal made his India debut in an ODI against Pakistan at Sialkot in 1978. The following year he made his Test debut against England at Lord’s and played three of the four Tests in the series.

Yashpal made a partnership of 316 runs

Yashpal then scored a maiden Test century against Australia in Delhi later that year. After which he scored an unbeaten 85 in the second innings in the next Test in Kolkata. Yashpal’s next Test century came more than two years later, but his 140 against England in Chennai will always be remembered. Yashpal had executed a record partnership of 316 runs with GR Vishwanath. Both batted all day. An excellent sprinter between the wickets, Yashpal served as the national selector after retirement. He is survived by wife Renu Sharma, two daughters Pooja and Preeti and son Chirag Sharma.