2 min readUpdated: May 14, 2026 10:04 PM IST
Santhanam Sundaram, The Indian Express’ long-time sports writer, passed away in Kochi on Thursday following an illness. He was 78 and is survived by his wife, Hamsa Santhanam, and daughters Subhashree and Sujatha.
Santhanam, or Santy Sir as he was popularly called by juniors who looked up to him for guidance, worked at The Indian Express from 1979 to 2006. The last rites will be performed at Ravipuram Crematorium in Ernakulam at 10:30 am on Friday, his family informed. He extensively covered cricket and table tennis for the newspaper. He was also a qualified cricket umpire.
While his write-ups from India’s Test tour of England and the ODI tournaments during the 1990s were much appreciated for their unique perspective, he never lost touch with grassroots cricket in the capital. Within days of returning from international assignments, he would be spotted at some local ground covering school or league cricket. He played a key role in spotting several talented youngsters who went on to make a name for themselves. For this attribute, he became a hugely respected scribe in Delhi’s cricketing circles.
He was among the first to write about India’s legendary opener Virender Sehwag, when he was a schoolboy cricketer. On the day he passed away, Sehwag extended his condolences to the family.
With a passion for the game, a drive to unearth the next talent from Delhi’s maidans, and a sharp instinct for news, Santhanam made a name for himself with his shoe-leather reporting. He also had a long association with stalwarts of Delhi cricket, including former India captain, the late Bishan Singh Bedi.
News of Santhanam’s demise prompted a flood of condolence messages from his contemporaries and juniors who looked up to him.
© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd
