Raman Lamba (1960–1998) was an Indian cricketer who played for the India national cricket team in international cricket during the 1980s. A right-handed opening batsman, he was a prolific run-scorer in domestic cricket, principally for Delhi in the Ranji Trophy and for North Zone in the Duleep Trophy. His first-class career also extended overseas, including a long association with Irish cricket. He died at the age of 38 after being struck on the head while fielding during a club match in Bangladesh, an incident that prompted wider discussion on the safety of close-in fielders.
| Full name | Raman Lamba |
|---|---|
| Born | 1960 |
| Died | 1998 |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Role | Opening batsman (right-handed) |
| Domestic team | Delhi (Ranji Trophy) |
| Zone | North Zone (Duleep Trophy) |
| International formats | Test cricket, One Day Internationals |
Lamba emerged from the Delhi cricketing circuit, which during the 1980s produced several India internationals. He developed a reputation as a heavy scorer in age-group and university cricket before establishing himself in the Delhi Ranji Trophy side as a dependable opener.
Lamba was among the most consistent run-getters in Indian domestic cricket through the late 1980s and 1990s. Opening the batting for Delhi, he was a regular in the Ranji Trophy and represented North Zone in the Duleep Trophy. His domestic record featured numerous centuries and double-centuries, making him one of the leading accumulators of runs in Indian first-class cricket of his era.
He was selected for India in both Test matches and One Day Internationals during the 1980s. His international appearances were limited, and he was unable to convert his prolific domestic form into a sustained run in the national side, in part owing to strong competition for opening positions in the Indian team of that period.
Lamba had a long professional engagement with cricket in Ireland, where he played club cricket and represented Irish sides. He was among the most successful overseas professionals to feature in Irish domestic cricket during the late 20th century, and was widely regarded as one of the leading run-scorers in that competition.
In February 1998, while playing a club match in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Lamba was fielding at short leg without a helmet when he was struck on the head by a ball hit by the batsman. He collapsed shortly afterwards and died in hospital from the resulting head injury. The incident drew significant attention to the risks faced by close-in fielders and contributed to discussions on protective equipment in cricket.
Lamba is remembered as one of the most prolific batsmen in Indian domestic cricket during the 1980s and 1990s, and as a notable figure in the development of professional cricket in Ireland. His death remains one of the rare on-field fatalities in international club cricket and is often cited in conversations about player safety.