Former Indian cricketer A G Milkha Singh passes away aged 75

The former Indian cricketer A G Milkha Singh passed away aged 75 on Friday due to cardiac arrest at a hospital in Chennai. He is survived by wife, a son and a daughter. He played for India in four Test matches but was a legend in the domestic circuit and used to feature for Tamil Nadu in Ranji Trophy. His brother Kripal Singh also played for the country in 14 Test matches and the siblings played together in a Test against England in 1961-62.

Milkha Singh was a dashing left-handed batsman and a fine fielder of his times. He was an outstanding schoolboy cricketer and made his Ranji Trophy only at 17. The very next year he played for India against Australia in Chennai in 1960. However, he was one of those cricketers who never got their due. Though he played 88 first-class matches for Tamil Nadu and scored 4324 runs. He also rolled his arms quite a few times and picked 5 wickets during his illustrious career.

Bedi expressed his condolences

The former Indian player Bishan Singh Bedi expressed his condolences on Twitter and termed him as one of the attacking batsmen of his times. In his message he wrote, “Once the most attacking left hand batsman o his times AG Milkha Singh is no more..’AG’ clan is diminishing..RIP Micky..Guru MEHR Kareh..!!” A close associate of Milkha Singh and a veteran coach M K Iqbal said he was a stylish cricketer and served the State for so long. He also hailed Singh for guiding several youngsters in cricket.

The family of Milkha never stopped producing cricketers as his nephew and the son of his elder brother Arjan Kripal Singh played Ranji Trophy for Tamil Nadu and went on to a score a memorable triple-century against Goa in 1987. In the same match, W V Raman also scored a triple century as the team piled up 912 runs.