Raman Lamba

Raman Lamba

File:Ramanlambadelhi1.jpg
Personal information
Full name	Raman Lamba
Batting	Right-handed
Bowling	Right-arm medium
Role	Batsman
International information
National side	India
Test debut	17 January 1986 v Sri Lanka
Last Test	25 November 1987 v West Indies
ODI debut	7 October 1986 v Australia
Last ODI	22 December 1989 v Pakistan
Domestic team information
Years	Team
1980–1998	Delhi
1980–1991	North Zone
1990	Ireland
Career statistics
Competition Test ODI FC Matches 4 32 121 Runs scored 102 783 8776 Batting average 20.40 27.00 53.86 100s/50s -/1 1/6 31/27 Top score 53 102 320 Balls bowled 19 816 Wickets 1 6 Bowling average 20.00 70.50 5 wickets in innings 0 0 10 wickets in match 0 0 Best bowling 1/9 2/9 Catches/stumpings 5/- 10/- 60/0
Source: CricketArchive, 12 September 2011

Raman Lamba (January 2, 1960 in Uttar Pradesh – February 23, 1998 in Dhaka) was an Indian cricketer who played in four Tests and 32 One Day Internationals, mainly as a batsman died in the Post Graduate Hospital in Dhaka in Bangladesh after three days of vain efforts by a team of doctors, ever since he was seriously hit on the forehead by a full blooded pull by Mehrab Hossain off left arm spinner Saifullah Khan while fielding at forward short leg, without a helmet, for Dhaka's leading club, Abahani Krira Chakra, in the final of the Premier Division cricket match versus Mohammendan Sporting Club at the Dhaka Bangabandhu Stadium. The shot was so ferocious that the ball deflected from his head and flew into stumper Khaled Mashud' s gloves. Mohammad Aminul Islam, the former Bangladesh captain, recalled "I was the new man in and asked Raman if he was okay. He said, 'Bulli (Islam's nickname is Bulbul) main to mar gaya' (I am dead, Bulli). Although the injury did not appear to be particularly serious, he suffered an internal haemorrhage and slipped into coma. Despite a neurosurgeon being flown in from Delhi, all efforts went in vain and finally his ventilator was removed declaring him dead.

Profile

Born on 2nd January 1960 at Meerut, he was a right-handed bat. His pride was his fitness and that gave him the feeling that he could serve Delhi till his age of 45 and his club Sonnet till he reached his half century. Commencing his Ranji Trphy career in 1980-81, he continued playing in the championship in the season 1997-98, till he breathed his last. He scored 6362 runs at an average of 53.91 in 87 matches, scoring 22 centuries including 5 double centuries and his career highest of 312 versus Himachal Pradesh at Delhi in 1994-95, which is not only his personal highest score but it is one among the highest individual scores for Delhi. He aggregated 1034 runs in 10 matches at an average of 73.86 with 3 centuries and 4 half centuries in the season 1994-95 which was also a record in Ranji Trophy of scoring the maximum runs in a Ranji season. He led Delhi in 8 matches in the season 1994-95, winning 3 and drawing 5. His 320 in the Duleep Trophy for North Zone against West Zone in the final at Bhilai in 1986-87 still remains among highest individual scores till date.

International cricket

One day cricket

Raman Lamba appeared for India as a one day player in the 1986 Australasia Cup final, when he also took an acrobatic catch to dismiss Abdul Qadir off Kapil Dev, where he played as substitute fielder. He had a great opening in One day cricket as he scored 64 in his first match and 102 in his sixth match as he won the man of the series against Australia for scoring 278 runs at an average of 55.60 per innings with a century and 2 fifties. His scoring pattern in 6 innings were 64, 01, 20*, 74, 17 and 102. Lamba and Krishnamachari Srikkanth were India's openers for the Jawaharlal Nehru Centenary Cup 1989. Twice they had 100 runs opening partnership, against Australia and Pakistan. Their approach was similar, as both were stroke players. Their aggessive batting approach as openers was later seen in opening pair Sanath Jayasuriya and Romesh Kaluwitharana.

50's and 100's

1. vs Australia 1986 scored 64
2. vs Australia 1986 scored 74
3. vs Australia 1986 scored 102
4. vs Sri Lanka 1987 scored 60not out
5. vs West Indies 1989 scored 61
6. vs Australia 1989 scored 57
7. vs Pakistan 1989 scored 57

Test cricket

Raman lamba, had a moderate start at an average of 33.67 against the Srilankans, but failed the only test against the West Indies scoring just one run in two innings which virtually ended his career as a Test player. He did made a come back to test cricket playing XI against Pakistan in 1989, but injured his finger during nets and couldn't play in the match as Mohammad Azharuddin replaced him.

50's

1. vs Sri Lanka 1987 scored 53 Second Test

Shocking end of a brave cricketer

Raman Lamba's death on the cricket field was the most tragic episode in the history of the game. There have been occasions when players have been hit and ruled out for battles, but never had death occurred to a cricketer on the field. "Let us remembers Raman Lamba and wear a helmet," implores a hoarding. In hindsight, so much can be said but when he stood for that one moment bare-headed at the short leg in that match at Dhaka, little anyone would have imagined the grave consequences of his act. The ball struck Lamba hard. "I could hear the sound outside," his mate Sanjeev Sharma was to say later. The impact was strong enough to leave Lamba with a fatal blow and the game had, for the first time ever, claimed a victim. History is full of instances when players have been struck on the head but fortunately none suffered the ill-fate of Lamba. Nari Contractor waged a brave bettle in the West Indies to survive a severe blow to his skull even though his cricket suffered. But Lamba's case was a shattering experience.

For the cricket fraternity in Delhi, the news that Lamba was hit in Dhaka came as a shock because very few knew that, he was away from Delhi. He had skipped the Ranji Trophy match against Tamil Nadu because of a toothache and flown to Dhaka following innumerable calls to play that important match for Abahani Krira Chakra against Mohammedan Sporting. Who could have imagined it would happen to be his final journey. None of his mates at the airport could believe the body wrapped in the coffin was cheerful Lamba who only the other day had expressed hopes of playing for the country one final time. Lamba was a gutsy cricketer who never believed he could ened up losing. No, he would never say die in any situation. Manoj Prabhakar was inconsolable when he heard of Lamba' death. "I hate defeat and tears." Lamba would say. In fact, he could not remember when he wept last. Life, for Lamba, was a fascinating journey of struggle, which in turn would lead to joy. He was nearing one of his cherished ambitions, to own a house, when he died. He had been working hard on furnishing his new house on the outskirts of delhi. "You must see my house" Lamba had said during Delhi's match against Bengal at the Ferozeshah Kotla. Well, that moment never came.

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Raman Lamba cuts Geoff Lawson as non striker Srikkanth watches the action. Lamba made 57 as India won by 3 wickets against Australia on 27.10.1989

Lamba's cricketing career was full of ups and downs but never short of quality or courage. the two triple centuries he hit in first class matches is a feat worth emulating. It spoke of Lamba's devotion to the game and was a tribute to his skills. He never claimed he was the best. It was always his endeavour to beat the youngsters and not because he had any point to prove. "Being with them and being than some of them makes me feel younger," he would say. A pity that he died so young. Lamba was very particular about his clothes and his cricket gear. His wardrobe wore a young look."Why not? I am still young enough to play for the country. Why don't you people write about me. I can still open for India, " he used to say. It was this ambition that kept him going when many of his age group had quit. Lamba was a distinguished cricketer. A true professional, he never required prodding from his skipper to give his best." I always give more than hundred per cent," Lamba maintained. And give he did. It was evident in that act of his at Dhaka, where he was revered as a living legend. Not known to field at shortleg, he moved up to that position for that one fatal moment. The substitute was ready with the helmet on the boundary line, but Lamba is said to have beckoned him to wait. It was the last ball of that over, And, as it tragically turned out to be, Lamba's last too.

There were tributes from all over the World when he died. His wife Kim, paid him the most moving tribute when she put the Sonnet Club cap on Lamba. The final journey for this cricketer had to be as a cricketer. Lamba was always loyal to his club, state and country and the cricketing fraternity acknowledged his friendly cricketer's contributions to the game by turning up in a large number for his funeral.

Fierce Professional

Lamba was a gentleman, even though he was a fierce professional on the field. Nothing could perturb him and the fact that he was felled by a ball was the most shocking and unbelievable thing. "I have lot of plans" he said during that match against Bengal, but could never unfold them. He always advocated others to be brave, dedicated and loyal to the game. he did set examples as one can see from his eventful career. He also advocated the youngsters to take extra care of their kit bag and the protective equipment. The helmet in particular. Sadly he forgot, for one cruel moment, what he preached. It was a loss which will never be filled. Raman Lamba shall always be remembered. He truly was an inspirational figure. The Delhi dressing room will not be the same. Neither will be Delhi cricket, not to speak of the loss to his family-wife Kim and children.

Trivia

• On his first tour abroad to England in 1986, he was involved in the unique incident of 12 players on the field for one full over of ravi shastri in the second test against England at Leeds, when as a substitute to K.Srikkanth, he remained on the field though Srikkanth had already arrived on the field quietly, without requesting Raman Lamba to go back to the pavilion. Umpires too were unaware of Srikkanth's arrival on the field throughout the 6-ball over in which, fortunately, nothing untoward took place on the field.

• Just as he could not play a test on the tour of England in 1986, he missed a test a Test on his next tour of Pakistan in 1989-90 due to finger injury in the morning of first test.

• He was involved in one more controversial incident. He had a wordy friction with West Zone cricketer Rashid Patel on the field of play during the Duleep Trophy match at Jamshedpur in 1990-91. The Board of Control for Cricket in India 9 BCCI) debarred both the players from playing in any first-class cricket match, for one season, as a punishment to these cricketers.