The Hindu : Sport : Vijay Mehra passes away

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Saturday, Aug 26, 2006

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Vijay Mehra passes away

Special Correspondent

Vijay Mehra — FILE PHOTO

NEW DELHI : Former Test batsman and National selector Vijay Mehra passed away this morning following a cardiac arrest. Mehra, who was 68, is survived by wife, a daughter and a son.

Mehra was a popular and respected figure in cricket circles. Known to help youngsters, he ran an academy in west Delhi and was actively involved with the game as a commentator, having recently visited the West Indies on behalf of the All India Radio.

Mehra's sudden death, while reading a newspaper at 8.15 a.m., shocked former India captain Bishan Singh Bedi.

"I have lost a dear friend and will always miss him. He was a very intense cricketer even though he had limitations, but then he knew how to make the most of his talent. He was a lovely human being with a tremendous sense of humour. We used to interact almost daily and he would show his concern about not just Delhi cricket but the game as a whole," said Bedi.

Mehra was the youngest Indian Test cricketer when he made his debut at 17 against New Zealand at Bombay in 1955.

He played eight Tests and was best remembered for his gutsy innings of 62 against England at Calcutta in 1962.

In first-class cricket, he scored 5,614 runs in 109 matches and hit 13 centuries.

His son Ajay played first-class cricket for Punjab and Rajasthan.

Mehra was cremated this evening. Among those present at the funeral were cricketers Vinay Lamba, Man Mohan Sood, Madan Lal, Surender Khanna, Suresh Luthra and Praveen Oberoi.

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