Jamshedpur: Mortals remains of 65-year-old former Indian medium pacer and skipper of undivided Bihar Ranji team, Randhir Singh was consigned to flames at Swarnarekha burning ghat here on Saturday.
Singh had breathed his last at around 5 PM of 8th March due to multi-organ failure in a rehabilitation centre in Bokaro, where he was under-treatment at a rehabilitation centre.
The cremation was taken place in Swarnarekha burning ghat soon after Singh’s body was brought here from Bokaro today.
The last rite was taken place in the presence of host of his team mates, former Ranji players including ex-Bihar captains and Jharkhand Ranji team coaches V Venkatram and Kajal Das.
On getting the news of Singh’s demise, Jharkhand State Cricket Association (JSCA) on Friday organized a condolence meeting in JSCA office in the premises of Keenan stadium.
Among others, former Ranji trophy cricketer Manoj Yadav and former Secretary of JSCA Rajesh Verma “Bobby” attended the meeting, when a two minute silence was observed to pay obeisance to the departed soul.
I am really shocked over the death of Singh, who was a very sincere and hardworking cricketer throughout his cricketing career, Yadav said.
Singh had represented Odisha and undivided Bihar in Ranji Trophy, Yadav said while appreciating his hard work that reserved a berth for him in the Indian team against England in 1982.
Jharkhand has lost a good coach.
Singh had made into the Indian team when Indian team was facing dearth of medium pacer and start the innings with a spinner, Yadav said.
At that time, Singh had proved his mettle and reserved a berth in Indian team, which was not at all an easy task for any cricketer at that time. The cricket playing countries used to prepare wicket as per their suitability, he said.
Yadav said Jharkhand has suffered an irreparable damage with the death of Singh, who worked in Tube division of Tata Steel.
Rajesh Verma ‘Bobby” said Singh was not only a brilliant cricketer and a gentleman, who used to mixed up with people easily.
His contribution in shaping the game in Bihar/Jharkhand was commendable, Bobby said while describing his death as ‘great loss to the game of cricket in general and Jharkhand in particular..
Medium pacer Singh was one of several surprise choices in the Indian squad, which toured England in 1982.
After finishing wicketless on his ODI debut against England in 1981-82, he was brought back to play a game against West Indies two years later when regulars Kapil Dev and Madan Lal were absent.
He picked up the wicket of Gordon Greenidge, bowling six overs for 30 runs.
As far as his first class domestic matches were concerned, Singh had played over 65 first class matches and grabbed 146 wickets.
