Former Indian cricket star Yashpal Sharma passed away this Tuesday at 66 after a sudden cardiac arrest. Sharma, a vital part of the legendary 1983 World Cup winning team, reportedly collapsed at his residence after returning from his daily morning walk.
Remembered as a fearless batsman and a sharp fielder with great speed between the wickets, Yashpal Sharma left a lasting mark on the game. His courageous 61-run knock against England in the 1983 World Cup semi-final at Old Trafford remains one of the most iconic moments of his career. He also played a pivotal role in the opening match of that same tournament, scoring 89 to help India secure a historic first-ever World Cup win over the West Indies. That semi-final performance was further bolstered by a match-winning 92-run partnership with Mohinder Amarnath. By the end of the 1983 World Cup, Sharma had amassed 240 runs in eight matches, making him the second-highest scorer for the Indian side.
In the opening match of the 1983 campaign, Yashpal top-scored with 89 as India made West Indies taste their first defeat in a World cup match. In the semi-final, he scored 61 runs and was involved in a 92 run partnership with Mohinder Amarnath for the third wicket, which was a match-winning performance. Yashpal was the second leading run-scorer for India in the 1983 World cup with 240 runs in eight matches.
Known for his explosive batting in the middle order, Yashpal Sharma represented India in 37 Tests and 42 ODIs, accumulating 1,606 and 883 runs respectively. He was a powerhouse in domestic cricket, playing 160 Ranji matches for Punjab, Haryana, and Railways. During his domestic tenure, he scored a massive 8,933 runs, including 21 centuries and a career-best unbeaten 201.
Beyond playing, Yashpal contributed to the game as an umpire for several Women's ODIs. He also played a significant role in team management as a national selector from 2003 to 2006, and again from 2008 to 2011. It was during this second stint on the selection panel that India ended a 28-year drought to lift the World Cup once again in 2011.