Chetan Sakariya’s father loses battle with Covid-19

Rajasthan Royals young fast bowler Saurashtra Chetan Sakariya's father Kanjibhai Sakariya died due to COVID-19 at a hospital in Bhavnagar on Sunday.

He was 42 and was battling the infection for the past few days.

Chetan Sakariya was informed about his father’s condition last week and with the part-salary, he received for IPL 2021, he transferred it home. Since returning home, he spent days waiting at a hospital bench from 9 AM to 2 PM.

“I was lucky because I had received my part payment from Rajasthan Royals a few days ago. I straight away transferred money back home, and that is helping my family the most in my toughest time,” Chetan Sakariya had told The Indian Express.

Sakariya had been playing in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy at the time his brother died but wasn't informed of the tragic news by his family until he returned home after the tournament.

Condolences poured on social media with commentator Harsha Bhogle and former India cricketer Wasim Jaffer among the first to send out their messages to Sakariya and his family.

The Saurashtra Cricket Association condoled the demise, saying "Everyone at Saurashtra Cricket Association is deeply saddened on the sad demise of cricketer Chetan Sakariya's father."

Taking to Twitter, the Royals said that the franchise is in touch with the youngster and is providing 'all possible support' to him and his family. Former India cricketer Wasim Jaffer also wished strength for Sakariya and his family to cope up with their loss.

Sakariya had been playing in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy at the time his brother died but wasn't informed of the tragic news by his family until he returned home after the tournament.

Sakariya is another cricketer to have lost a family member to COVID-19 after India Women's cricketer Veda Krishnamurthy lost her sister and her mother to the virus.

Krishnamurthy lost her sister on Wednesday while her mother had died last month.

Sakariya played seven matches for RR this season, taking seven wickets at an economy rate of 8.22 runs per over.