Surat: India all-rounder Hardik Pandya and his brother Krunal’s father Himanshu Pandya passed away on Saturday (January 16). Baroda skipper Krunal has left the bio-bubble created for Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy in Vadodara.
Krunal has left the bubble in order to be with his family and as a result, he would not be playing for Baroda in the ongoing Domestic T20 tournament.
“Yes, Krunal Pandya has left the bubble. It is a personal tragedy, Baroda Cricket Association mourns this loss of Hardik and Krunal,” Baroda Cricket Association CEO Shishir Hattangadi told ANI.
Krunal has played three matches so far in the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali tournament, managing to take four wickets. In the first match against Uttarakhand, Krunal also managed to score 76 runs for Baroda.
Baroda have so far won all their three matches in the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. The side is at the top of Elite Group C. Hardik is not playing the national T20 tournament as he is preparing for the white-ball series against England. Both Krunal and Hardik play together for the Mumbai Indians franchise in the Indian Premier League.
Tributes poured in from fans and sports fraternity:
Heartbroken to hear about the demise of Hardik and Krunal’s dad. Spoke to him a couple of times, looked a joyful and full of life person. May his soul rest in peace. Stay strong you two. @hardikpandya7 @krunalpandya24
— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) January 16, 2021
“Our intentions of letting Hardik and Krunal play cricket from a very young age was questioned and criticised by many. But we were not willing to change our plans, and it’s great to see what they have achieved now”
– Himanshu Pandya. RIP 🙏 pic.twitter.com/iN6Vd5vDFE
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) January 16, 2021
