Polly Umrigar hospitalised

Polly Umrigar, the former Indian Test batsman, is seriously ill and has been admitted to hospital in Mumbai. Umrigar, who turned 80 in March, is said to be suffering from lymph cancer, and will undergo chemotherapy as the cancer has spread through the chest and abdomen regions.

Umrigar, who played 59 Tests for India between 1948 and 1962 scoring 3631 runs at an average of more than 40, was earlier diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. Umrigar was in the intensive care unit of the Bombay Hospital, and doctors had restricted visitor access since he was being prepared for chemotherapy and the risk of contracting an infection was high.

The burly Umrigar has been a permanent fixture on the cricket scene in Mumbai, ever present at international and domestic matches, and a popular figure at parties and events at the Cricket Club of India. The news of his illness came as a surprise to many who have known him well, and to his fans at large.