Former Delhi captain Akash Lal dies at 85; cricket fraternity mourns

New Delhi: Former Delhi and North Zone captain and batsman Akash Lal passed away in the Capital on Monday (August 10) following prolonged battle with age-related illnesses. He was 85.

Lal, who also captained Punjab and represented Maharaja of Patiala's XI, played 94 first-class matches between 1957-58 and 1975-76, scoring 5,622 runs at an average of 41.64. He hit 15 centuries and took 55 catches. Lal also served as national selector in the 1990s.

"Aakash Lal was known for his quiet dignity, deep knowledge of the sport, and unwavering commitment to cricket. His contribution, integrity and love for Delhi cricket will always be remembered," said Ravinder Manchanda, the former Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) treasurer.

"It is to be noted that apart from the Secretary (who turned up a little late), the Apex Council was not present," complained Manchanda, who attended the cremation.

"However, a representative from the DDCA President Rohan Jaitley paid floral tribute," said TV Subramanyam, a member of the DDCA League committee.

"The absence of any Apex Council member is very surprising. Given his decades of service to Delhi cricket, it is important that the institution pays him the respect he deserves. I propose that we hold a prayer meeting in his honour so that the entire cricket fraternity can come together to remember him and his contribution. I was speaking to Bishan Singh Bedi's wife, who was present at the cremation, and she also said that a prayer meeting should be held for both Bishan Bedi and Akash Lal."

Former India international Kirti Azad has also written to DDCA demanding a prayer meeting for Lal and Bedi.

Vinay Lamba, Vinod Gupta, Rohit Sahni, Tilak Raj, Anoop Singh and Atul Mahendra were the ex-cricketers present at Akash Lal's cremation. TV Subramanyam represented the DDCA Clubs there.

The two teams, Central Delhi Kings and New Delhi Tigers, who played the first DPL match on Tuesday, observed a two-minute silence in Lal's memory during the innings break.

Tags : Cricket, DDCA, Delhi, Akash Lal, Bishan Bedi, Kirti Azad