The years 2021 and 2022 were just as depressing as 2020 when the Covid-19 outbreak brought about the complete collapse of the world. The second wave, far more deadly than the first, struck again as people tried to return to normal. The cricketing world has also lost some of its finest talents during this upheaval, which once mesmerised spectators with their unmatched skills. Let's keep those cricketing gems in mind while we rejoice at the epidemic's conclusion.
1. Yashpal Sharma
On July 13, 2021, the World Cup champion from 1983 passed away at 66. At 7.30 a.m., Yashpal collapsed at his Noida house after having a heart attack on the way back from a morning stroll. With 240 runs from eight innings at an average of 34.28, Yashpal ended the 1983 World Cup as India's second-highest scorer.
2. Shane Warne
On March 4, 2022, Shane Warne's body was found at his villa on the Thai island of Koh Samui. While on vacation in Thailand, the 52-year-old Australian celebrity reportedly suffered a heart attack. Warne played in 145 Tests, taking 708 wickets at an average of 25.41 and gaining his maiden Test cap for Australia in 1992. In addition, Warne contributed with the bat, amassing 3154 Test cricket runs with the help of 12 half-centuries. The only cricketer to have over 3000 runs without a century to his credit is him.
3. Andrew Symonds
Australian all-rounder Andrew Symonds died on May 15, 2022, in a car accident near Townsville. Symonds was among the few all-rounders with a 40 or above average across all games. Symonds played for 11 years in the international league and had several outstanding innings. Apart from that, he excelled in domestic cricket and broke several records. He was considered a complete player in limited-overs cricket. Symonds was a key member of Australia's squad in the 2003 and 2007 World Cups, helping his country win both tournaments.
4. Avi Barot
The cricketing community was saddened by the sudden loss of Barot on October 16, 2021. Former India Under-19 captain Avi Barot, a member of the Ranji Trophy-winning team in the 2019–20 season, passed away after having a heart attack at the stunningly young age of 29. He has participated in 20 domestic T20 games as well as 38 List A games and 38 first-class matches.
5. Rod Marsh
On March 4, 2022, 74-year-old former Australian cricketer Rod Marsh passed away. After having a heart attack, he went into a coma. Both as a wicketkeeper and a national selector, Marsh, who made his international debut in 1970, was crucial. Apart from that, he was a fantastic instructor. He had a stellar first-class record, amassing 11067 runs at an average of 31.17 in 257 outings. With a combined 95 dismissals, Dennis Lillee and Rod Marsh have a distinctive reputation in global cricket.
6. Vasu Paranjpe
In 2021, Vasu Paranjpe, a pioneer in Indian cricket, went away. Paranjape breathed his last on August 30. He is survived by his wife, retired professor Lalita, two children, and son Jatin, a former cricketer for India and national selector. Before the 1987 World Cup, he was given the responsibility by the late Raj Singh Dungarpur to oversee the Indian team's training camp in Mumbai (then known as Bombay). He also assisted the well-known Dennis Lillee during the early years of the MRF Pace Foundation.
7. Tarak Sinha
Like Paranjpe, Sinha is a well-known Indian coach who has produced athletes like Rishabh Pant, Shikhar Dhawan, and Ashish Nehra. On November 6 2021, Sinha passed away after a lung cancer fight. He was lovingly referred to as "Ustaad Ji" and used to instruct players at The Sonnet Club, which acted as Delhi's supply line.
8. Eileen Ash
Ash was the oldest living Test cricketer when he passed away at age 110. She participated in seven Test matches for England in the 1930s and 1940s, taking ten hauls with an average of 23 with her right-arm fast pace. She participated in the 1949 Ashes tour to Australia in addition to playing for Civil Service Women, Middlesex Women, and South Women in domestic cricket.
9. Ambarpratasinhji Jadeja
On January 4, 2022, Ambapratasinhji Jadeja, a former cricketer for Saurashtra, passed away from COVID-19 illness. He was 69. After a protracted battle with Covid-19, he died at Valsad. Jadeja, a well-known right-arm medium pacer and right-handed batter, was born in Jamnagar. He participated in eight Ranji Trophy games on behalf of Saurashtra. He was a former DSP of the Gujarat Police.
10. Jim Parks
On June 1, 2022, Jim Parks, a former England wicketkeeper-batsman who participated in 46 Test matches between 1954 and 1968, passed away. He was 90 years old. He was the oldest Test cricketer still playing for England at his demise. Jim fell at home and passed away at Worthing Hospital. Parks, born in 1931, played in 132 List A games and 739 first-class matches for Sussex before making his debut at 18.
