.svg){kind=small}
Madan Lal was a prominent all-rounder of the Indian cricket team in the 1970s and 1980s. With a successful first-class career, Madan Lal became an indispensable part of the Indian squad during his prime years. His notable performances in key matches helped India emerge as champions in the 1983 Cricket World Cup. As a cricketer, coach, and politician, Madan Lal has played multiple roles throughout his career that have made him an interesting figure in Indian cricket history.
Madan Lal Udhouram Sharma was born in Amritsar, Punjab. His family moved to Delhi when he was young, where he spent most of his childhood playing cricket on the streets and parks with friends. It didn't take long for Madan Lal's talent to be noticed and soon he joined the Delhi Under-19 team. He later played for Delhi in domestic cricket from 1971 to 1985.
Despite struggling with poverty during his early years, Madan Lal's passion for cricket never wavered. He was inspired by legendary cricketers like Polly Umrigar and Bishen Singh Bedi who he watched playing at Feroz Shah Kotla stadium as a child. Eventually, through sheer hard work and determination along with some luck on his side, he made it into the Ranji Trophy team.
Madan Lal made his debut for India against England at Lord's Cricket Ground in June 1974. Initially selected as a medium-pacer who could bat a bit down the order, he quickly established himself as a valuable all-rounder for India after scoring three half-centuries within his first seven Test innings.
In November 1977, Madan Lal faced one of the biggest disappointments of his career when he was dropped from the Indian team due to a poor run of form. However, he made a comeback in January 1981 and went on to have one of his most memorable performances against England later that year.
Madan Lal's all-round skills were instrumental in India's victory in the 1983 World Cup. He played a key role in the final against the West Indies, taking three crucial wickets that helped India secure an unlikely victory.
Madan Lal played for India in 39 Test matches and 67 ODIs. He scored 1,042 runs at an average of 22.65 and took 71 wickets at an average of 40.08 in Tests. In ODIs, he scored 401 runs and took 38 wickets at an average of 23.52.
Madan Lal was known for his medium-pace bowling that had good accuracy and movement, making him a potent force on any surface. He was also a handy lower-order batsman who could play effective cameos when required.
Some of Madan Lal's notable performances include his innings of 74 runs against Pakistan at Bangalore during the Benson & Hedges World Championship of Cricket in February-March 1985, where he put on an invaluable partnership with Ravi Shastri to rescue India from a precarious position.
After retiring from cricket, Madan Lal ventured into coaching. He coached the United Arab Emirates cricket team for the World Cup in 1996 and then served as a coach for the Indian cricket team from September 1996 to September 1997. Later, he became a member of the selection committee from April-May 2000 to November-December 2001.
Madan Lal had a successful cricketing career, particularly in major tournaments and series. He played a crucial role in India's victory in the 1983 World Cup, where he bowled the first over of the match to England's Dennis Amiss. The right-arm medium-pacer was known for his ability to swing the ball both ways, which made him a great asset to the Indian team.
In the 1983 World Cup final against West Indies, Madan Lal produced one of his best performances by taking three wickets for 31 runs in seven overs. His spell of three quick wickets broke the back of the West Indies batting line-up and contributed significantly to India's historic win.
Apart from this, Madan Lal also played in other major tournaments such as Benson & Hedges World Championship, Rothmans Four-Nations Cup, and Asia Cup. In these tournaments, he displayed his all-around skills with both bat and ball.
Moreover, Madan Lal played an important role in domestic leagues such as Ranji Trophy and Duleep Trophy. His impressive record of scoring 10,204 runs (average of 42.87) and capturing 625 wickets (average of 25.50) at the first-class lever is a testament to his skill and dedication.
Madan Lal was primarily known for his all-round abilities as a middle-order batsman and medium-pace bowler. He was an important utility player for the Indian team who could contribute significantly with both bat and ball.
As a batsman, he had a good technique that allowed him to score runs quickly when required. He was a fairly competent lower-order batsman who often rescued India from difficult situations with his courageous batting.
However, it was his bowling that set him apart from other players of his generation. His ability to swing the ball both ways, combined with his nippy bowling skills, made him a menace for opposition batsmen. He had a knack for picking up crucial wickets at important moments, which often turned the game in India's favour.
Madan Lal was an excellent leader who led from the front and inspired his teammates to perform their best. His leadership qualities were evident during his stint as coach of the UAE team during the 1996 World Cup and later as chief coach of Sanjay Jagdale MPCA Academy.
Apart from cricket, Madan Lal had several personal interests and hobbies such as music, travelling, and photography. He also appeared on a crime show called "Hum Ne Li Hai Shapath" on Life OK in April 2013.
Madan Lal's impact on Indian cricket is remarkable. He was one of the best all-rounders that India has ever produced. His ability to perform well in both batting and bowling made him a valuable asset to the team. He played a vital role in India's victory at the 1983 World Cup, where he showcased his skills as a bowler by taking three wickets in the final match against the West Indies.
His style of play paved the way for future all-rounders like Kapil Dev and Ravindra Jadeja, who followed in his footsteps. Madan Lal's performances have inspired young cricketers across India to work hard towards becoming an all-rounder. His leadership qualities also make him an inspiration for upcoming cricketers.
Madan Lal’s records speak volumes about his contribution to Indian cricket. He bowled the first ball of the 1975 World Cup, which was held in England. His performance helped India win their first-ever Test series against England on home soil in 1976-77, where he took nine wickets across two Tests. He finished his Test career with 71 wickets and scored over 1,000 runs.
Madan Lal's contributions were recognized when he was awarded one of India's highest civilian honours, the Padma Shri Award, in 1984 for his achievements in sports. He was also awarded the Arjuna Award in 1981 for his excellent performance on-field.
In addition to this, Madan Lal served as chairman of selectors from North Zone before being appointed as coach of the Indian cricket team from September 1996 to September 1997. He later coached teams like Delhi Giants (previously Delhi Jets) and United Arab Emirates (UAE) team for the ICC Cricket World Cup in 1996.
Madan Lal was a valuable player and an excellent all-rounder who played a significant role in Indian cricket history. His performances have inspired many young cricketers to take up the sport and work towards becoming successful all-rounders.
Madan Lal's contribution to Indian cricket goes beyond his playing career. As a coach, he has played a vital role in nurturing young talent, and his leadership qualities make him an inspiration for upcoming cricketers. He is one of the few players who have made such immense contributions to Indian cricket both as a player and coach.
As we look back at Madan Lal's career, it is clear that he has been an integral part of Indian cricket history. His accomplishments as an all-rounder will always be remembered by fans across the globe. Overall, Madan Lal's legacy is one of success, determination, and hard work.
FAQs
What is Madan Lal doing now?
After retiring from coaching in 2010, Madan Lal opened a cricket academy in Siri Fort Sports Complex, Delhi.
When did Madan Lal Udhouram Sharma make his Test debut and against which team?
Madan Lal Udhouram Sharma made his Test debut on 6 June 1974 against England (cap 130).
Which domestic teams did Madan Lal Udhouram Sharma represent?
Madan Lal Udhouram Sharma represented Punjab from 1968 to 1972 and Delhi from 1973 to 1991.
What are the career statistics of Madan Lal in Test matches, ODIs, first-class matches, and List A matches?
Test matches 39 matches played, 1,042 runs scored, batting average of 22.65, 71 wickets taken, bowling average of 40.08.
How many catches and stumpings did Madan Lal Udhouram Sharma take in his career?
Madan Lal Udhouram Sharma took 15 catches and had no stumpings in Test matches, 18 catches and no stumpings in ODIs, 141 catches and no stumpings in first-class matches, and 31 catches and no stumpings in List A matches.
