Senior Sports Journalist Santosh Suri Passes Away in Lucknow
The Lucknow sports fraternity was plunged into mourning on Saturday as senior sports journalist and former sports editor of The Times of India, Lucknow, Santosh Suri, passed away following a heart attack. He was 68 years old. His sudden demise sent shockwaves through the community, with condolences pouring in from across the sports world.
Condolences from Prominent Figures
BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla expressed his grief on social media, writing, "Deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Santosh Suri. A familiar journalist and a trusted voice around Indian and UP cricket for many years. His words carried honesty, depth, and a genuine love for the game. Heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones. May his soul rest in peace."
Director (sports) RP Singh and former director of SAI Lucknow, Rachna Govil, also paid their respects to the veteran journalist. Former UP minister Mohsin Raza shared his sorrow, stating, "I'm deeply saddened and pained by the news of the demise of senior sports journalist Santosh Suri. May God grant his soul a place in His eternal abode and give his family the strength to bear this loss."
Final Moments and Tributes
According to family members, Suri complained of chest pain around 3 AM and was rushed to Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Institute of Medical Sciences, where doctors declared him dead. His last rites were performed at Baikunth Dham, where journalists and sports personalities gathered to pay rich tributes.
Former Indian player Gyanendra Pandey remembered Suri as a wonderful human being and an inspirational figure. He added, "May his soul rest in peace and may God give strength to his family in this difficult time." Sports journalists from Delhi also honored Suri during the IPL match between Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals at Arun Jaitley Stadium.
A Distinguished Career in Journalism
Santosh Suri joined the Lucknow edition of The Times of India in 1984 and retired in 2016, but remained active in the field. After his retirement, he continued his association with Mid-Day, covering major cricketing events such as the World Cup, Asia Cup, and IPL. Colleagues recalled his passion for journalism, noting that he was very active even post-retirement, often covering matches globally at his own expense. He had plans to cover the Women's T20 World Cup in England.
Known for his remarkable ability to analyze even the smallest developments in sports with simplicity and precision, Suri possessed deep knowledge of Uttar Pradesh cricket and its emerging players. This expertise earned him the title of the "encyclopedia of UP cricket." He had expressed a desire to write a book on UP cricket and was once invited to the UP dressing room to deliver pep talks to players.
Early Life and Personal Passions
Born in Berlin, Germany, in 1958, Santosh Suri learned the basics of journalism in Bengaluru. He also spent considerable time in Jamnagar, Gujarat, and Patiala, Punjab. Beyond journalism, he was passionate about playing cricket. He represented several cricket clubs as a medium-fast bowler, played school cricket, and was a mainstay of the TOI-Lucknow cricket team.
Suri even played alongside former Indian batsman Navjot Singh Sidhu. In the 1990s, while playing for District Cricket Association (DCA) XI in the popular Sheesh Mahal Cricket Tournament, he once dismissed Ajay Jadeja for a duck. Many young journalists learned the nuances of sports journalism under his guidance.
Santosh Suri is survived by his wife Gloria and daughter Nikita. His legacy as a dedicated journalist and cricket enthusiast continues to inspire the sports community.
