Yashpal Sharma, explosive middle order batsman and
member of India’s first World Cup winning team, died of a heart attack on
Tuesday. The former Indian cricketer was one of the heroes of India’s World Cup
triumph in 1983.

He scored 240 runs in the cup at an average of
34.28 and played a match winning 60-run knock against England in the
semi-finals of the tournament.

Debuting against England in 1979, Sharma’s cricketing
career concluded in 1983. He played 37 Tests for India and scored 1606 runs
with two centuries and nine half centuries.

In the limelight

Yashpal first came to the limelight when he scored
260 runs for Punjab schools against Jammu and Kashmir schools in 1972. Within
two years, Sharma made it to the state team. When he was a member of the North
Zone team, North Zone won the Vizzy trophy.

First-class career

Yashpal Sharma’s first major innings in first-class
cricket was a 173 against South Zone in the Duleep Trophy. The South Zone team
at the time comprised ace cricketers such as Chandrasekhar, Erapalli Prasanna
and Venkataraghavan.

In the international arena

Sharma’s splendid form in England assured him a
place in the Indian side. However, against Australia in Kanpur, he got out on a
duck. The very next match, Sharma went on to score his first Test century. The
1979–80 cricketing season saw Sharma play a series of steady innings usually
assisting a senior batsman on the other side. A defensive batsman on the whole,
he could hit the ball out of the park when needed.

World Cup glory

Despite a few average performances, Sharma would
find his way into the World Cup team, which would go on to provide him the finest
moments of his career. In the opening match of the World Cup, he scored 89, the
top score for his side. His blistering 61 against England in the semi-final,
which featured a legendary flick over square leg for a six, essentially took
India to the finals.

Retired years

After retirement from cricket, Sharma remained
associated with the sport. He served as an umpire in several matches and then
went on to become a national cricket selector. He served as a selector for two
stints.

Death

On Tuesday, Sharma returned from his morning walk
and then suddenly collapsed at home, reports PTI. He died of a heart attack. Sharma
was 66 years old and is survived by his wife, two daughters and a son.