83, the film on India’s triumph at the 1983 Cricket World Cup in England has been released and is getting some riveting reviews. The performance of the actors, particularly Ranveer Singh in the role of Kapil Dev and the slick direction of Kabir Khan is gathering huge praise. The promotion for the film also has been huge with the players associated with the team and the actors associated with the film both doing their best to create massive ripples in the public domain and all these events are breaking the internet .
In one of the clips seen by me pertaining to the promotion of the film, Kapil Dev requested the audience to observe half a minute silence in the memory of Yashpal Sharma, an integral part of the World Cup winning team, who passed away just 5 months ago. It was a touching gesture from the icon of Indian Cricket. He had not forgotten his friend and the player whose gutsy knocks in the 83 World Cup, played a critical role in India winning the Championship. This moving gesture from Kapil has made me write this piece about Yashpal Sharma and some of his knocks which were truly memorable .
61* against England in the Semi-Final
Chasing 214 for victory against a potent English attack led by the legendary Bob Willis, India lost two early wickets, but Yashpal Sharma in the company of Mohinder Amarnath who was in the form of his life with both bat and ball, had a 92 run partnership which ensured an Indian victory. Yashpal batted with great responsibility, mixing aggression with stoic resistance and played some amazing strokes. He hit the pacy Bob Willis for a six, just flicking him of a searing yorker. The shot was considered to be one of the best of the World Cup. Bob Willis saw in disbelief as the ball sailed over the boundary. The blow was so severe that it demoralised the English and the rest his history. Fortunately I saw the game Live on TV and how me and my brothers cheered each run scored by Yashpal Sharma.
89 against West Indies in India’s first match of the 83 World Cup.
This innings was a battle between the fierce Malcolm Marshall and Yashpal. Having lost 4 wickets quickly, Yashpal Sharma battled it out against the mighty West Indian pace attack led by Malcolm Marshall. It is said that whenever Malcolm Marshall saw Yashpal Sharma facing him, the ferocity in his bowling went a notch higher. He peppered Yashpal with shot pitch bowling hitting him several times. However the brave Yashpal took the blows on his chest and by the time his innings ended he was all black and blue. On the back of this performance India went on to win the league match and handed the West Indies, their first defeat in a World Cup.
50 against West Indies at Port of Spain
A few months before the World Cup in 1983, India were touring the West Indies and after losing the first Test of the series, they moved to Port of Spain to play the second. In the first innings, India were skittled out early and Yashpal Sharma was knocked out by Malcolm Marshall. An express bouncer from the West Indian quick hit him on the head and Yashpal was retired hurt. It was a telling blow on the psyche of the player. But Yashpal came back even more determined. He was not the brittle types. He was courageous to the core and scored a 50 in the second innings facing a barrage of bouncers from the West India pace attack with gusto and helping India draw the Test Match.
Yashpal Sharma played several innings of note in his career and revelled in difficult situations . He was very aptly rechristened ‘ The Crisis Man ‘ , by the great Sunil Gavaskar. His contribution to Indian Cricket should never be forgotten. His resilience on the field, the blows he took on his body and his never say die spirit should always be remembered.
This blog is a tribute to The Braveheart Yashpal who breathed his last on 13th July 2021 and left us with his memories.
‘RIP…Crisis Man’.
Very well written 👏 👌