The Prime Minister, Inder Kumar Gujral led a host of tributes paid to Raman Lamba, who death under tragic circumstances in Dhaka has left a pall of gloom amongst the cricket fraternity. Gujral said, ``(Raman) Lamba was a prolific scorer who had many memorable knocks to his credit and will be remembered by his numerous friends and admirers.''Some of the reactions and tributes:
Current cricketers
Sachin Tendulkar: It is very sad. Very hard to believe.
Mark Taylor: It is a terrible thing to happen in cricket. All of us are shocked. A couple of the guys have played against him and he has helped us out in a few things in the past.
Ajay Sharma: I have lost a colleague and an elder brother who was always a source of inspiration.
Robin Singh: He always encouraged me and told me not to give up hope.
WV Raman: It is not sinking in. I just can't believe it. It is so sad. And it happened in such bizzare circumstances.''
Sanjay Manjrekar: We were specialfriends. He always had a soft corner for me.
Atul Wassan: I am not able to digest it.
Surendra Bhave: We may have fought many battles on the field but off it he was a friend.
Administrators and coaches
Raj Singh Dungarpur (president, BCCI): What struck me most was that he enjoyed his cricket more than any cricketers. He always lifted the dressing room spirit.
Tarak Sinha (Sonnet Club coach and Lamba's mentor): I have lost a son.
Rakesh Shukla (Delhi selector): Raman was a fighter all the way.
Former India players
Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi: If available, it is pretty obvious players must use helmets.
Madan Lal: He was a very hard-working cricketer. Delhi cricket will surely miss such a dedicated player who served them well for so long.
Roger Binny: He was a very good team man never allowing the pressures of the game get to him. He was an asset in the dressing room bringing down the tension and tedium during crucialsituations.
Maninder Singh: He was the most gritty and gutsiest cricketers I have ever known and contributed a lot to Delhi cricket. He always wanted to set an example to the youngsters and I was fortunate to have played along with him.
Kirti Azad: Raman lived for cricket and died for cricket. He was dashing in style and off the field he was one of the liveliest persons.
Balwinder Singh Sandhu: My association with him dates back to the University days when we played together. All Mumbai cricketers held him in high esteem.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
