No black arm bands to honour departed Yashpal

The late Yashpal Sharma. Pic/PTI

It's not even a week for the demise of 1983 World Cup-winning team member, Yashpal Sharma. And yet, the Indians stepped on the field for their first ODI against Sri Lanka on Sunday without black arm bands in tribute to the former middle-order batsman, who succumbed to a cardiac arrest on Tuesday morning.

Balvinder Singh Sandhu, the departed player's roommate during that 1983 World Cup, was stunned to see the current Indian team not honouring Yashpal with black arm bands. "Yashpal contributed so much to Indian cricket. That the current side did not show respect to him on Sunday shows their cricketing intelligence, their knowledge of cricketing history and upbringing.

"I feel hurt because they keep talking about how the 1983 World Cup win was a turning point in Indian cricket. We got paid peanuts…no regrets, but that win has played a role in how well the current players are paid. In fact, one should appreciate all ex-players who have contributed to the game. A family that respects its elders, gets respected," remarked Sandhu, who stressed that Yashpal was also part of the selection panel that picked the victorious 2011 World Cup team.

Milind Rege, the former Mumbai captain, lashed out at the establishment for not getting the players to wear black arm bands. "It is disappointing to see all this happening with Rahul Dravid around [as coach in Sri Lanka] and Sourav Ganguly heading the BCCI," said Rege, who found something amiss as soon as he switched on his television set to watch the ODI. "I'm surprised that it [wearing of black arm bands] did not happen," Rege added.

Sandhu, meanwhile, provided an insight into how the 1983 World Cup winners are coping with Yashpal's death. "We are all filled with grief. Kapil wept when he attended a ceremony for Yashpal and I just cannot get Yash off my mind," revealed Sandhu.

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