The resolute batsman, cementing the middle order of Indian cricket team, from, 1979 to 1983, Yashpal Sharma, was born on August 11, 1954, in Ludhiana, of Punjab. Yashpal Sharma rose to prominence, for his score of 260 for Punjab schools against Jammu & Kashmir schools in 1972.
His own attributes catapulted this right-hand batsman and the right-arm medium bowler, to new elevation of promotion. Within two years he got an invitation in the state team. He also became a member of the North Zone team that emerged as the champion of the Vizzy Trophy. His first significant achievement in the first class cricket yielded a 173 in the Duleep Trophy for North, against the South Zone which had the crÅ me three bowlers of the Indian Spin Quartet, namely, Chandrasekhar, E.A.S Prasanna and Venkataraghavan.
However, he was absent in the team that went to Australia, soon after this marvellous innings. Still, his awaited moment of desire fulfilment arrived quickly. He was made his way to the team, going for an expedition to Pakistan, in the next season.
His deeds were distinctive at the time of the England tour in 1979, reaching a tall score of 884 runs, made at an outstanding average of 58.93. Yashpal Sharma participated in three of the four Tests.
Yashpal Sharma was selected as a core member of the Indian team during the twin ventures against Australia and Pakistan in 1979-80. It was at this time, that he got the maiden Test hundred against Australia at New Delhi.
Although, he accomplished a blazing 201 not out against state Victoria of Australia, he failed to earn enough of applause in the next season`s tour of Australia and New Zealand. He remained stagnated in the back seat for a while.
Nevertheless, he embarked on a mission of regaining lost glory. He tossed England in 1981-82 and at Madras he flaunted a 140. He together held an illuminating statistics of 316 continuous innings with the doggedly, sincere, Gundappa Viswanath. The two retained their stand in the whole of the second days too.
A magnificent 99, with a deficit of 1 run, ensured him inclusion into the Indian team for playing against Pakistan. He served the team with his best against the Pakistan and West Indies in 1982-83. In fact, in his superb form, he used to give the rival bowlers a pretty tough time to tackle with.
Yashpal Sharma was one of the sports-star of the phenomenal win of World Cup Championship for India. His excellent batting and swift running between the wickets stabilized his seat as a perfect player for the One-Day Internationals.
His marvellous stance in cricket came to an end in the 1983-84 seasons against Pakistan and West Indies. His inability to resume to his previous finesse subsided down. It is an acknowledged truth that team wins, depending on the collective as well as effective efforts of each and every member. This is always true about any cricket team, and Indian Team is no exception. Players like Yashpal Sharma, gives the team the greatest of glories that are otherwise unobtainable by a single enterprise.
