New Delhi, January 16, 2021: Indian cricketers Hardik and Krunal Pandyas’ father passed away at the age of 71 on Saturday morning due to a cardiac arrest. Himanshu Pandya suffered a heart attack and could not survive.
Hardik, who had returned home after limited over series agaisnt Australia last month, was as home at the time of his father breathing his last. Elder brother Krunal, who was leading the Baroda team in the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Trophy, has also left the tournament mid-way to reach back home.
ANI reported that Baroda captain Krunal has left the bio-bubble that he was in with the rest of the players of the team.
“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.
Former India pacer Irfan Pathan took to Twitter and paid his condolences. “Remember meeting uncle for the first time at motibagh. He was so keen for his sons to play good cricket. My condolences to You and family. May god give you strength to pass through this difficult time @krunalpandya24 @hardikpandya7, tweeted Pathan, himself a former Baroda captain according to the reports published in indianexpress.com.
“Whenever I speak about Hardik and Krunal, I cannot control my tears and that they have done so well is God’s gift. Our intentions of letting them play cricket from a very young age was questioned and criticized by many relatives. But we were not willing to change our plans, and it is great to see what they have achieved now,” Himanshu Pandya had told MI TV in an interview.
