Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni's close friend and former teammate Santosh Lal, who taught him the famous 'helicopter shot', breathed his last here on Wednesday.
Lal, who played Ranji Trophy matches with Dhoni, was undergoing treatment for pancreatitis at the Apollo Hospital here.
Lal, who was earlier admitted in an unconscious state at a Ranchi Hospital, was airlifted to the national capital for treatment at Dhoni's behest. Dhoni provided all possible help to his friend.
One of Lal's close friends expressed his shock on hearing of the demise.
"Santosh was like a guardian to his entire family. God should not have been so rude. Dhoni and his other friends provided all support that was needed," he told Asian News International (ANI) in Ranchi.
The Jharkhand State Cricket Association (JSCA) had also donated Rs. one lakh to Lal for his treatment.
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