The Kanpur cricket fraternity was plunged into mourning on Sunday following the demise of Prakash Mishra, a founding pillar of the Kanpur Cricket Association (KCA) and a respected state-level umpire. The KCA expressed profound grief over his passing, which led to the immediate postponement of a major cricket event in his honour.
A Pillar of Kanpur Cricket Passes Away
Prakash Mishra, who breathed his last on Sunday, was a seminal figure in the city's sporting landscape. His association with the KCA dated back to its very inception in 1976, where he served as its first secretary. Over the decades, Mishra dedicated himself to the association, eventually rising to the post of president. His contributions were recognized in 1980 when he earned the prestigious state-level umpire status. For the last 20 years, he remained an active member of the veteran cricket association, guiding the sport with his experience.
League Inaugural Converted into Condolence Meeting
As a mark of respect for the departed soul, the Kanpur Cricket Association took the solemn decision to suspend the inauguration ceremony of its prestigious Kanpur cricket league. The event was originally scheduled to be held at Green Park on Sunday. Instead, the association converted the function into a heartfelt condolence meeting.
The gathering was held under the chairmanship of KCA chairman Sanjay Kapoor, with all officials of the association in attendance to pay their final respects. Prakash Mishra's cremation was conducted at Bhairav Ghat at noon on the same day.
Remembering Mishra's legacy, Chairman Sanjay Kapoor said, "It is a great loss to the KCA family as he was a well-wisher and positive thinker for the development of the association." The sentiment echoed the deep personal and professional void left by his sudden departure.
Sunday League Matches Proceed with Notable Performances
While the cricketing community mourned, the Cawnpore Sunday league matches proceeded across various grounds, witnessing some dominant performances. The teams Blue Warriors, Crazy Rangers, and Metafor Foam emerged victorious against their respective rivals.
The key highlights from the Sunday fixtures are as follows:
- At Kanpur South Ground: Blue Warriors outplayed Patel Properties by 6 wickets. Patel Properties scored 193 runs, powered by Mohd Javed's 122. Blue Warriors chased down the target, scoring 197/4, with Indrabhushan Sahu's 64 earning him the Man of the Match award.
- At Sapru Ground: Crazy Rangers secured a 3-wicket win over Kalawati Superkings, who were bowled out for 106. Neeraj's bowling performance (3/27) made him the Man of the Match.
- At PAC Ground: Metafor Foam defeated Knight Scorchers by 30 runs. A magnificent unbeaten 122 by Shantanu Singh propelled Metafor Foam to 208/3, a total Knight Scorchers could not overcome, ending at 178/9. Singh was rightly named Man of the Match.
The day thus reflected the dual spirit of cricket in Kanpur—one of solemn remembrance for a lost stalwart and another of competitive passion on the field, a duality that Prakash Mishra himself would have understood deeply.
