Umpire Desraj dies at 70

New Delhi: Former Umpire Desraj, who stood in an one-day international between Australia and Zimbabwe at Ahmedabad in 1998 during the Pepsi Tri Series, today passed away after suffering a cardiac arrest in Pune.

He was 70. He is survived by his daughter, son-in-law and a grandson. Desraj, who became a BCCI Ranji Trophy Umpire from Delhi and served the Indian board for 15 years before retiring in 2001, officiated in 30 first class matches from 1986-87 to 2001-02. He served for 40 years and retired in 2003 from operating Deputy of Northern Railways. For a long period he also served Northern Railway Sports Association. He was a medium fast bowler who played for Northern Railways and Delhi Gymkhana cricket club. PTI