New Delhi: Poonam Azad, wife of ex-Indian cricketer and 1983 World Cup winner Kirti Azad, has passed away after battling a long illness. Kirti shared the heartbreaking news on social media, revealing that Poonam took her last breath at 12:40 pm. Her demise has left the former cricketer and his family in deep sorrow.
Poonam was not just known as the spouse of Kirti Azad; she was also an active political figure. Initially associated with the Aam Aadmi Party, Poonam made a switch to the Congress in 2017, where she continued her political journey. The couple is survived by their two sons, Suryavardhan and Soumyavardhan, both of whom have pursued cricket at the junior level.
Kirti Azad, who played a crucial role in India’s cricket history, has now turned to politics as a Member of Parliament (MP) for the Trinamool Congress. He currently represents the Bardhaman-Durgapur constituency in West Bengal, where he defeated BJP candidate Dilip Ghosh.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed her condolences over Poonam’s passing. In a heartfelt message, she mentioned her long association with Poonam and acknowledged the difficult battle she fought in her final years. Mamata Banerjee also extended her support to Kirti and his family during this tough time, praying for Poonam’s soul to rest in peace.
Kirti Azad, who played 7 Tests and 25 ODIs for India, was a key figure in India’s 1983 World Cup semi-final victory against England. His outstanding performance in that match, where he gave away only 28 runs in 12 overs, remains memorable in Indian cricket history.
