Dhoni's closest friend Santosh Lal dies due to pancreatitis

                    Wednesday, Jul 17, 2013, 10:28 IST | Place: Jharkhand 

He was admitted to Guru Nanak hospital in Ranchi on July 12, after complaining unbearable pain in his stomach.

Cricketer Santosh Lal passed way on Wednesday after battling pancreatitis. Lal was a former Ranji player and one of the closest friends of Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni. 

He was admitted to Guru Nanak hospital in Ranchi on July 12, after complaining unbearable pain in his stomach. He was then detected with with acute pancreatitis.

Dhoni, who is out on a tour of the US, reportedly credited his helicopter shot to Lal, who used to execute the stroke in Ranji Trophy matches with style. Lal was working with the Railways.

Lal's body has been taken to Lady Hardinge hospital for autopsy and will then be flown back to Ranchi.