हिंदी
When we talk about the best cricketers of India, ChetanPratap Singh Chauhan is definitely mentioned at the top. The bold cricketer played 40 Test Matches for India. During his lifetime he triumphed in several matches, winning trophies like Ranji Trophy. Unfortunately, the player left this world after suffering complications due to Covid-19 on 16thAugust, 2020 at the age of 73.
Chetan Chauhan was not only a hero in the cricket field alone but also in real life. After his demise, several North Zone cricketers has mentioned his bravery. They went on to mention that the Duleep Trophy in Pune ended on 30thOctober, 1984. The players were, thus, returning back to Delhi via Jhelum Express. The assassination of the PM Indira Gandhi, took place on 31stOctober, 1984. Soon angry mob gathered all over India and turned against the Sikhs.
“At several stations mobs entered compartments and looked for Sikhs onboard. We had 3 Sikh friends with us- Navjot Singh Sidhu, Rajinder Ghai and Yograj Singh. I remember how Chetan Chauhan and Yashpal Sharma convinced the mob with utter difficulty that they were Indian Cricketers.” recalled Yograj Singh.
He went on to add how the mob argued with ChetanChauhan that they merely wanted the Sikhs and no harm would come to others. In that situation, Chetan stood firm and said- “They are my brothers and you can’t touch them.”
Gursharan Singh went on to explain how he was in a different compartment with Rajinder Hans. “It gave me chills when I came to know what my fellow teammates had faced. Chetan Chauhan assured me that he wouldn’t let any harm come to me.”- he added.
Ghai further added- “We would not have survived if it wasn’t for Chetan. We got down on Okhla Station after 4 days and stayed at house of Yashpal until Navjot’s father sent help.”
