One of the fiercest fast bowlers of his time, Suresh Luthra breathed his last on Tuesday in Faridabad following a prolonged illness. He was 74 and is survived by wife and two sons. Luthra was a Delhi and North Zone regular and was regarded as one of the finest in the 70s.
Despite having a stellar record in first-class cricket, having picked up 262 wickets in 67 appearances at an astonishing average of 16.92, Luthra unfortunately, was never considered for India. His record with the bat was not that bad either. He had over a 1000 first-class runs along with a century.
His companions and peers, however, remember him for the outrageous swing generated by him at a decent pace. “Suresh would destroy the opposition with his prodigious swing and he was a terror on matting pitches. I have seen batsmen step away against Suresh. He was really quick,” former Delhi captain Vinay Lamba told Sportstar.
The left-arm fast bowler Luthra, who represented State Bank of India in North Zone tournaments had the ability to run through oppositions. Such was his terror that opposition teams would sometimes request the organizers not to place them in the same group with SBI.
“We grew up in west Delhi and played for the same club (Salwan). My association with him was 50 years old. He should have played a higher grade of cricket,” said Lamba.
After playing 16-years of first-class cricket, Luthra served Delhi cricket as a manager, coach and selector. “He was a gentleman. Very helpful. He was sincere in every assignment that he undertook,” added Lamba.
Off the field, Luthra was regarded as one of the best human beings around, who was always willing to help out others.