Daijiworld Media Network (MS)
New Delhi, Jun 30: Cricketer of yesteryears, who played for Delhi for many years in the Ranji trophy and also represented India in one test, Rakesh Shukla died at the age of 71 after a prolonged illenss.
Though he played only one test against Sri Lanka in 1982-83 series in Madras, he was the mainstay of Delhi bowling attack for many years in the Ranji Trophy. Rakesh has bagged 313 wickets in 121 first class matches that he has played for Bihar, Delhi and West Bengal. In addition to being an effective leg spinner, he was a handy lower order batsman, who had taken his team out of danger while batting. He scored 120 not out for Delhi, in the Ranji Trophy final against Mumbai in the 1980-81 season.
Apart from Ranji trophy, Shukla also played for Durham in the English Minor Counties championship of 1984.
Though he was giving repeated performances in the national circuit, Rakesh Shukla was never considered to play for the country except for the only test he played against Sri Lanka.