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Madan Lal Biography: Age, Career, Family and More

F4U Editorial Desk • Updated September 29, 2026 • 6 min read

Quick Info

Date of birth20 March 1951

Age74 Years

BirthplaceAmritsar, Punjab

ProfessionCricketer (Allrounder)

NationalityIndian

Marital statusMarried

SpouseAnu Mohan

FamilySon - Kuunal Lall; Daughter - Kanika

Madan Lal Biography

Madan Lal is a former Indian all‑rounder who represented India in Tests and ODIs between 1974 and 1987. Best known for his role in India’s 1983 World Cup,,

Early life and background

Madan Lal Udhouram Sharma was born on 20 March 1951 in Amritsar, Punjab. He spent his formative years in the region and attended P.B.N. School in Amritsar before moving on to Hindu College, Amritsar. Although his roots are in Punjab, his family’s hometown is listed as Dandru, Barsar, Hamirpur in Himachal Pradesh.

From childhood he showed a strong interest in cricket, teaching himself with rudimentary equipment and gradually progressing through local and age‑group cricket. He moved to New Delhi in 1972 to pursue the sport and worked a variety of jobs while trying to establish himself as a professional cricketer. Those early struggles included sharing accommodation with fellow players and taking odd jobs to support his ambitions.

Career

Madan Lal was a right‑handed batsman and a right‑arm medium‑pace bowler who played as an all‑rounder. He made his Test debut for India on 6 July 1974 against England at Old Trafford and his One Day International debut a week later on 13 July 1974 at Leeds. Over a long international career he appeared in 39 Test matches and 67 ODIs.

In Tests he scored 1,042 runs from 62 innings with a highest score of 74 and five half‑centuries. With the ball he delivered nearly 6,000 balls in Tests and took 71 wickets, including four five‑wicket hauls and a best innings return of 5 for 23. In ODI cricket he contributed 401 runs with a top score of 53 not out, and took 73 wickets with a best of 4 for 20.

At the domestic level he represented both Punjab and Delhi. He made an immediate impact in Ranji Trophy cricket as a teenager and produced several standout performances that kept him in national selection conversations. Notable domestic feats included an eight‑wicket haul early in his career, a match figure of 5 for 73 against Delhi, a match‑winning 8 for 80 in a Ranji final against Karnataka, and a career‑best 9 for 31 in a Ranji match that helped Delhi capture the title.

Madan Lal’s international career had highs and lows. He was part of India’s touring sides in the mid and late 1970s and posted useful spells abroad, including a five‑wicket return in Australia. A period out of the Test side followed in the late 1970s as selection choices shifted, but he rebuilt his form in domestic cricket and returned to the national team in the early 1980s.

His most famous contribution came during the 1983 Cricket World Cup. Playing as one of India’s seam bowling options alongside Kapil Dev, he finished the tournament among India’s leading wicket‑takers. He played a pivotal role in the semi‑final and final, taking 4 for 20 against Australia in the group stage and then claiming key wickets in the final against the West Indies, helping India to a historic World Cup victory. Across the tournament he took 17 wickets at an excellent average.

After the World Cup his international fortunes fluctuated and he eventually moved into league cricket in England and continued to play ODIs into the mid‑1980s. His final Test appearance came in 1986 at Headingley, where he contributed with both bat and ball. He played his last international matches in the home series against Pakistan in 1986–87.

Coaching and later work

Following his playing career, Madan Lal moved into coaching. He served as coach of the United Arab Emirates team for the 1996 Cricket World Cup and later held coaching roles with India A before a brief stint as head coach of the Indian national team from September 1996 to September 1997.

Public profile

Madan Lal is known by a few nicknames used during his playing days. He received recognition early in his career, including being honoured as “Cricketer of the Year” by the Government of India in 1976. Off the field he has been associated with the Indian National Congress politically and has listed hobbies such as travelling, listening to music, and watching films. He is married to Anu Mohan and the couple have two children: a son, Kuunal Lall, and a daughter, Kanika.

Latest updates

Madan Lal’s cricketing legacy remains strongly tied to the 1983 World Cup. After his international retirement he continued to contribute to the game through coaching roles, including work with the UAE and India’s teams in the 1990s.
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Recent Work

Coach of United Arab Emirates at 1996 Cricket World Cup

Served as head coach for the UAE team during the 1996 World Cup.

1996
Head coach, Indian national team

Briefly served as India’s head coach from September 1996 to September 1997 after coaching India A.

1996-1997
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Career Highlights

  1. Member of India’s 1983 Cricket World Cup winning squad, taking 17 wickets in the tournament
  2. Represented India in 39 Tests and 67 ODIs between 1974 and 1987
  3. Awarded “Cricketer of the Year” by the Government of India in 1976
  4. Produced match‑winning domestic performances including 9 for 31 in Ranji Trophy and an 8 for 80 in a Ranji final
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Frequently Asked Questions

When was Madan Lal born?

20 March 1951

What is Madan Lal known for?

Cricketer (Allrounder)

What is Madan Lal’s marital status?

Married

Who is Madan Lal married to?

Anu Mohan