Ranchi: Santosh Lal, a former Ranji team-mate whom Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni credited with inventing the famous helicopter shot, passed away while undergoing treatment for pancreatitis at a hospital in Delhi on Wednesday.

Considered to be a good friend of Dhoni, Lal was diagnosed with acute pancreatitis and was admited in a unconscious state at a Ranchi hospital before being airlifted to Delhi on July 15. An employee of Railways, he is survived by his parents, wife and a three-year-old daughter. He was just 32.

The Jharkhand State Cricket Association had donated Rs one lakh to Lal for his treatment and Rs 39,500 was collected among the association members and handed over to his family.

Dhoni, who was away on a holiday to the US, was also extending all possible help to his friend and was said to be in touch with his associates regarding the matter. He was in regular touch with Lal and had always met him whenever he was in town. He had reportedly credited his helicopter shot to Lal.

A condolence meeting in memory of the cricketer was held at the JSCA stadium here.