Dubai: For those who were wondering why Arun Lal was not among the commentators recently, including in the ICC Twenty20 World Cup, the news is that the former Indian opener has been battling cancer since January this year.
Lal personally disclosed his illness. He revealed that it was a rare and dangerous form of cancer and he had to undergo intensive treatment including a 14-hour surgery in a Kolkata hospital for replacement of his jaw.
A courageous batsman, Lal had opened the Indian innings with Sunil Gavaskar in the 80s. He hit six Test half centuries including a debut half-century against Sri Lanka in 1982. He played his final Test against West Indies in Georgetown on March 21, 1989. He also hit two half centuries against Pakistan in the same match at Eden Gardens in 1987.
After playing six seasons for Delhi in the Ranji Trophy, he moved to Bengal and helped them win the title after 51 years in 1989. He not only cracked a fifty in that final but also hit a superb 189 to oust star-studded Bombay in the quarter-finals.
India’s left-handed batsman Yuvraj Singh, himself a cancer survivor, was among the first to contact Lal. Yuvraj was quoted as saying:, “When I got cancer, I asked god why me. But then, when I got Man of the Tournament prize (in 2011 World Cup final), I didn’t say why me. So these things are part of life and you have to take them in your stride.”
Sixty-year-old Lal was a prolific run-getter in the Ranji Trophy and had scored 6763 runs at an average of over 53. He is fifth in the all-time aggregate list of highest run-getters.
Speaking in an interview after the surgery, Lal said: “It’s a rare and dangerous cancer. The symptoms were detected in time and I went through a rigorous treatment process. Thank God, I have been able to hold my place. Obviously it is like a new life. It was tough but I am indebted to the fantastic job donw by the doctors. I got many calls from close friends.”
Lal is hoping to be back in the commentators box in two months.
