Categories: Culture

When Dilip Kumar the Screen Hero spotted the World Cup Hero Yashpal Sharma’s talent

<p>
<strong>Two well-known celebrities – one from films and one from the field of cricket – passed away recently. While mourning the death of thespian actor Dilip Kumar and cricketer Yashpal Sharma, one of 1983 World Cup heroes, it is worth recalling how interconnected their lives were.</strong></p>
<p>
The connect between the two was revealed by Sharma <a href="https://cricket.yahoo.net/news/yashpal-sharma-dies-dilip-kumar-071005979?isredir=true">in a recent interview to Deccan Chronicle.</a></p>
<p>
Sharma recalled for the daily: “He (Dilip Kumar) was like my father. I am very saddened to hear the news of his passing. In fact, Yusuf Bhai (Dilip Kumar’s real name) changed my life by uplifting my career. In the 1974-75 domestic season, he had come to the Mohan Nagar Ground in Delhi to watch the Punjab vs UP Ranji knockout match. I had scored a hundred in both innings for Punjab and during our second innings, I noticed that some prominent personality had come in a car and was watching the match from a special seating area. I thought he must have been some top politician.”</p>
<p>
Going on to share more details, Sharma said: “Later, Yusuf Bhai invited me for a chat and congratulated me for my century. ‘You have played an excellent game, I will recommend your name to someone,’ were his words. The next day, my photograph appeared alongside Yusuf Bhai in the newspapers and I was stunned. Only later did I get to know that Yusif Bhai went on to recommend me to the late Raj Singh Dungarpur, who was a prominent cricket administrator. Yusuf Bhai told Raj Singhji that I deserved to play for the country and my life was transformed thereafter.”</p>
<p>
Sharma played 37 Test matches for India, scoring 1606 runs, and 42 ODIs scoring 883 runs. In his first class career, he played 160 matches scoring 8933 runs, while representing Punjab, Haryana and Railways.</p>
<p>
It was for his remarkable performance in 1983 World Cup which India went on to win for the first time that made talk of the town. His total runs in the tournament were 240 at an average of 34.28 making him the second-highest scorer after skipper Kapil Dev.</p>
<p>
In their first outing against the might West Indies, who India went to beat in a thrilling final, Sharma top-scored with 89 run in 120 balls, helping his side garner 262 runs and thereby winning by 34 runs. What is significant about this win was that it a morale booster for India and they gained the vital belief that they could lift the Cup which they ultimately did!</p>

IN Bureau

Recent Posts

Pakistani forces abduct Baloch student and airport security personnel in Karachi: Report

The Pakistan security forces have reportedly abducted a law student and airport security personnel from…

14 minutes ago

Indian Navy intercepts Sri Lankan-flagged vessels in Arabian sea, seizes 500 kg narcotics

In a swift and coordinated operation, the Indian Navy successfully intercepted two Sri Lankan-flagged fishing…

2 hours ago

Indian Coast Guard commences search, rescue exercise SAREX 11 in Kochi

The Indian Coast Guard commenced the search and rescue exercise SAREX 11, off Kochi Coast,…

3 hours ago

“Hindus are being subject to death,” British MP condemns attack on Hindus in Bangladesh

Bob Blackman, a Conservative Member of Parliament for Harrow East in the United Kingdom condemned…

3 hours ago

India, Bosnia and Herzegovina hold 4th foreign office consultations, strengthen bilateral ties

India and Bosnia and Herzegovina held their fourth Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) in Sarajevo on…

4 hours ago

“Moment of existential threat not only for Bangladesh’s minorities but entire country: Former USCIRF Commissioner slams Yunus govt

Johnnie Moore, the former Commissioner of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF),…

5 hours ago