Former Indian cricketer Yashpal Sharma who was a member of the 1983 World Cup-winning side, passed away on 13th July after suffering a heart attack. The 66-year-old collapsed at around 7.30 am after returning from morning walk.
Kapil Dev who captained the team to 1983 world cup win couldn’t hold back tears on hearing the news.
During an interview Kapil broke down and said, “I still cannot believe that this is true. We met last week and he looked quite healthy to me. Can’t fight what god has decided.”
“This is unbelievable I cannot believe that this can happen. We just met last week and he was so fit, he was a fitness freak. Absolutely shocking,” Dilip Vengsarkar was quoted saying.
“Last week we met up, the ’83 World Cup team. He was the fittest of us all and I asked what the secret was to his fitness. He said he is a vegetarian and he goes for walks every day. That’s why I am saying that I can’t believe that this news is true. I can’t believe it,” he added.
Legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar also expressed his shock at the news and said Yashpal’s contribution to Indian cricket will never be forgotten. “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,” Tendulkar posted on Twitter.
The right-handed batsman was the backbone of India’s middle-order in the 1983 World Cup. He played 37 Test matches scoring 1606 runs and 42 ODIs scoring 883 runs. He had also played 160 first-class matches, representing Punjab, Haryana and Railways, and scored 8933 runs.
However he was best remembered for his performances in India’s first World Cup win, in 1983. He scored 240 runs at an average of 34.28 to return as the second highest-scorer for India behind skipper Kapil Dev in the tournament.
Sharma had top-scored with 89 (off 120 balls) to help India make 262/8 in their 34-run victory over West Indies in their first match of the 1983 World Cup. That win in Manchester is said to have given India the self-belief to go on and win the tournament. He later served as a match referee and umpire.
