India's 1983 <keyword id="22177" type="SPORT" weightage="20" keywordseo="world-cup">World Cup</keyword> hero <keyword id="90309" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Yashpal-Sharma">Yashpal Sharma</keyword>, who was admired for being a gutsy middle-order batsman at the peak of his prowess, died on Tuesday after suffering a massive cardiac arrest here. He was 66 and is survived by his wife, two daughters and a son. "Yes, <keyword id="50372" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Yashpal">Yashpal</keyword> is no more with us. We just received the information from his family," a former India teammate of Yashpal confirmed to . According to sources, Yashpal collapsed at home after returning from his morning walk here. In his international career, Yashpal played 37 Tests, scoring 1606 runs, and 42 ODIs in which he made 883. He also picked up one wicket each in the two formats to his credit. He was known for his gutsy attitude and his stroke-filled half century in the semifinal against England in the 1983 campaign at the Old Trafford will forever be etched in the public memory. He was also a national selector during early part of 2000s. Former India captain Dilip <keyword id="31910" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Vengsarkar">Vengsarkar</keyword> expressed shock at his teammate's demise. The 1983 squad had met on the sidelines of a book launch here couple of weeks ago. "It is unbelievable. He was the fittest among all of us. I had asked him that day when we met how about his routine. He was a vegetarian, teetotaller, used to have soup for his dinner and very particular about his morning walks. I am just shocked," Vengsarkar told . "As a player, he was a proper team man and a fighter. I fondly remember the 1979 Test against Pakistan in Delhi. We both had a partnership which helped us save the game. I knew him since my university days. Still can't believe it," he added. In <keyword id="3028" type="SPORT" weightage="20" keywordseo="Ranji-trophy">Ranji Trophy</keyword>, where he represented three teams -- Punjab, Haryana and Railways --, Yashpal played 160 matches amassing 8,933 runs which included 21 centuries with a highest score of 201 not out. He was an umpire too and stood in a couple of women's ODIs. The multi-faceted former player also served as coach of the <keyword id="2233636" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Uttar-Pradesh-Ranji">Uttar Pradesh Ranji</keyword> team. "He told me that day we met that I had lost weight. We had a great reunion. I remember the very first game in the 1983 World Cup playing the mighty West Indies with those fast bowlers, he set the agenda and we won that game," said former teammate Kirti Azad. "He was again fantastic in the semifinal hitting Bob Willis for a six. Nowadays people say (Ravindra) Jadeja hits stumps regularly but so did Yashpal. He was a livewire on the field and would hit stumps all the time," he recalled. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/amazon-apple-days-sale-offers-iphone-12-at-a-discount-of-up-to-9000/articleshow/84370882.cms">Amazon Apple Days sale offers iPhone 12 at a discount of up to ₹9,000 – check out best iPhone deals</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/startups/news/zomato-ipo-should-you-subscribe-this-ipo-check-out-analysts-view/articleshow/84369234.cms">Zomato IPO opens tomorrow — and even analysts are confused</a>

India's 1983 World Cup hero Yashpal Sharma dies of cardiac arrest

<keyword id="6355315" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Elon-musk" source="Orion">Elon Musk</keyword>, the businessman and magnate, last week fired over 50 per cent of Twitter employees once he took over the social media company. The world was astounded at the way it was done, without a human care and thought of any kindness behind it. There was no exit interview or interaction between the employees and the company and a call or a message was all that apparently one got as an adieu. Reverberating with the unceremonious exits of thousands of Twitter, Amazon, Meta and several other such companies, one was surprised about the dreaded pink slip that was given to all the selectors of the <keyword id="8675" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="indian-cricket-team" source="Orion">Indian cricket team</keyword> by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (<keyword id="6354756" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="bcci" source="Orion">BCCI</keyword>) as well. The loss in the semifinal stage of the T20 World Cup was the death knell for the wise men who failed to select the right winning squad for the prestigious tournament. The selectors in the past have been called various names. However, two of India's legendary cricketers, referred to them as 'A bunch of Jokers' and 'Court Jesters and Lame Ducks', which was pretty amusing at that time. Both were proven right. However, the Indian acceptance of 'This is the way it is' needs to inspire a change for the better in the future. One did feel sorry for the Chetan Sharma-led selection committee, which did not receive any written or verbal brickbats. However, they had their photographs splashed in several print and digital media, with the word 'Sacked' prominently displayed. They did select a squad that had all the skills and experience to combine themselves into a forceful and winning unit. The Indian think tank of the coach, captain and the support staff was outsmarted both on and off the field by England. India's loss needed fall guys and the easiest were 'the wise men of Gotham' -- the selectors. The BCCI, interestingly, since then has used the existing selectors to select the sides for India's upcoming series. The post of the selectors is now a well-remunerated one and is a full-time job and it, therefore, requires a professional approach. The most important task is in the selection of the selectors. There are certain criteria that are required to be met as regards the age being under 60 years as well as one should have played seven Test matches or 30 First-class matches etc. However, the most important appointment by the BCCI is the appointment of the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC). The CAC selects the selectors and, therefore, the three members that represent it should have impeccable credentials. They, one feels, should have played over 25 Test matches and have a thorough knowledge of the game and what the position entails. The BCCI are fortunate that they have Roger Binny as their president, Dilip Vengsarkar and Shubhangi Kulkarni in their Apex Committee, three Indian Test cricketers who would be ideal people to select a very competent CAC. The selectors now are a professional outfit, wherein, the earlier requirement of five zonal representatives should be abolished. Earlier, this was necessary as the Ranji Trophy was played initially in their respective zones and thereafter teams qualified for the knock-out stage. In the present format, the zonal basis makes no sense as teams are now placed in groups from any part of India. The five selectors, similar to selection committees in other cricket-playing countries of the world, need to have individuals with the best credentials and capabilities. They could all be from one state or zone if need be. The vast amount of cricket being played domestically, one feels, each selector needs to have his own team of assistant selectors. The job now entails much more than just watching selective matches but a thorough analysis of players and their performance. India is a vast cricket-playing country and the challenge is for one to ensure that every talented Indian cricketer is identified and spotted on time. The talent-spotting programme, which was introduced under Vengsarkar many years ago, was a huge success. A similar approach should be conceptualised, with talent spotters from respective zones reporting to each of the five selectors. This would ensure a better coverage of unearthing aspiring cricketers from the junior to the senior-most level. At present, the IPL and the Under-19 India performers have become the hotbed for quick and early recognition. This is not the best solution as there are several other cricketers playing in the domestic circuit who have not been chosen in the IPL and have long passed the age of 19. A good example of late bloomers is Suryakumar Yadav. SKY, as he is popularly known, is batting like a man possessed, in limited-overs cricket. He has been a part of domestic cricket for many years and is at present 32 years old. He seems ready to play Test cricket, a format that evaded him till now. The time has come for a radical change on the appointment, scope and deliverables of a national cricket selector at all levels of the game. A common structure should be introduced that covers the cricket associations as well. The pink slips and sacking, one feels, is not the best way forward. A selector is, after all, only the facilitator and not the performer. The irony in this case was the facilitators became the fall guys whereas the ones who needed to perform are sitting unreprimanded. This definitely needs a comprehensive change. (Yajurvindra Singh is a former India cricketer) SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/sports/news/india-vs-new-zealand-odis-series-how-to-watch-match-dates-and-timing-squads-and-more/slidelist/95732575.cms">India vs New Zealand ODIs – How to watch, match dates and timing, squads and more</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/sports/news/inox-to-screen-matches-of-fifa-world-cup-qatar-2022-live-in-its-cinema-halls-in-india/articleshow/95716463.cms">INOX to screen matches of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 live in its cinema halls in India</a>

'The dreaded pink slip given to all the Indian senior cricket selectors'

It is the first time in over two decades that India will tour England without <keyword id="118008" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Sachin-Ramesh-Tendulkar">Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar</keyword>. The last time India were in England for a four-Test series in 2011, they were beaten 0-4 despite <keyword id="2727" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Rahul-Dravid">Rahul Dravid</keyword> scoring three Test centuries. 
 That series, billed around Tendulkar's impending 100th century in international cricket, saw India's pace spearhead <keyword id="12644" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Zaheer-Khan">Zaheer Khan</keyword> pull out with a hamstring injury on the opening day of the first Test at Lord’s. It triggered India's most colossal drubbing since 1959. India returned empty handed as they lost their No. 1 Test rank to England. Andrew Strauss was at the helm of affairs for England then. 
 
A lot of water has flown under the bridge. As India prepare for the first Test starting July 9, England skipper Alastair Cook is under immense scrutiny after his side's 0-1 loss to Sri Lanka. What has made things worse is his own form. He has managed just 601 runs in the last 24 innings, averaging just 25 runs an innings. 
 England have picked a pace-oriented attack for the first Test and may influence the Indian think tank to respond in kind, picking <keyword id="6359948" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Ravindra-Jadeja">Ravindra Jadeja</keyword> as the only spin bowling option at Trent Bridge. India's pace attack will be chosen among Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Varun Aaron, Pankaj Singh and Ishwar Pandey. 
 
 
Yet, it is this attack that is India's biggest concern at the moment. Pankaj Singh and Ishwar Pandey are yet to make their debuts while Shami, Bhuvneshwar and Aaron have never played a Test in England leaving Ishant (55 Tests) to spearhead the Indian attack in the grueling series. 
 
If coach Duncan Fletcher is to be believed, this inexperience brings the unpredictability and excitement. "It is nice sometimes, because being unpredictable they will play some exciting cricket. There are some very exciting cricketers in the squad who would go on to become very good cricketers for India," Fletcher said ahead of the series. 
 
Ishant has shown his mettle in the past – two six-wicket hauls in New Zealand will have boosted his confidence amply. Bhuvneshwar has impressed everyone with his swing and ability to hit the right length. Shami has had a fairly good run in Test cricket and will relish bowling in England. Varun Aaron is the fastest of the Indian pacers and can bring a cutting edge to the attack. 
 
Pandey, from Rewa in Madhya Pradesh, is a promising fast-medium bowler and can carry the burden of the Indian attack. He has been rewarded for claiming 78 wickets in Ranji Trophy over the last two seasons. Similarly, Pankaj Singh has been picked since he had a very good first class season behind him. 
 
Former India captain and former Chairman of selectors, Dilip Vengsarkar highlighted his concern about this attack before the series. "It will be tough for India. We need to have bowlers who can get them out twice but unfortunately I don't see any bowler," Vengsarkar said. The bowlers on tour will have to prove that they were chosen on merit and the belief that they can raise their game.

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India's 1983 World Cup hero Yashpal Sharma dies of cardiac arrest

PTI

'The dreaded pink slip given to all the Indian senior cricket selectors'

IANS

India Face Pace Conundrum In English Test

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