Krunal, who is currently captaining Baroda in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, left the tournament bio-bubble to be with his family as tributes poured in from cricketers and fans alike.
Vadodara: ndia cricketers Hardik and Krunal Pandya lost their father Himanshu, who died on Saturday after suffering a heart attack.
He was 71.
Krunal, who was leading Baroda in the Syed Mushtaq Ali trophy, left the bio-bubble created for the tournament to be with his family, association secretary Ajit Lele told PTI.
Hardik is not playing the national T20 tournament as he is preparing for the white-ball series against England. He has also left Mumbai, where he was training, for Vadodara.
Himanshu had played a key role in the success of his cricketer sons.
Krunal scored a match-winning 76 in the opening game against Uttarakhand and has also taken four wickets in the first three games.
India skipper Virat Kohli and legendary Sachin Tendulkar, led the cricketing fraternity in condoling Himanshu's demise.
"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," tweeted Kohli.
"Really sorry to hear about the demise of your father @krunalpandya24 & @hardikpandya7. Condolences to your family and friends. May God give you strength on these difficult times," wrote Tendulkar.
Irfan Pathan and his brother Yusuf, both former India cricketers, also condoled the death of Pandya brothers' father.
"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, said Irfan Pathan, himself a former Baroda captain.
"A loved one passing away is never an easy moment for anyone. I sincerely admire the sacrifices uncle made for his sons @krunalpandya24 @hardikpandya7. Condolences to his family and dear ones at this tough time. #rip," tweeted Yusuf, who also played for Baroda.
"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.
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
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) January 16, 2021
Batting legend Sachin Tendulkar and present India skipper Virat Kohli were some of the other members of the cricket fraternity who offered their condolences to the Pandya family on Twitter, as did Mumbai Indians — the franchise the brothers represent in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Really sorry to hear about the demise of your father @krunalpandya24 & @hardikpandya7. Condolences to your family and friends. May God give you strength in these difficult times. — Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) January 16, 2021
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
Losing a parent is one of the most difficult moments in one's life. A father, guide, full of joy, Himanshu Pandya was a wonderful human being. Hardik and Krunal, my heart felt condolences in this moment of grief. Strength to your family in this difficult moment. RIP uncle 🙏🏽 — K L Rahul (@klrahul11) January 16, 2021
So sorry to hear the news about your father’s demise @krunalpandya24 @hardikpandya7
Stay strong and lots of strength to both of you. May his soul RIP— Hanuma vihari (@Hanumavihari) January 16, 2021
One could always see on their dads face how proud he was of both @hardikpandya7 and @krunalpandya24. Heart goes out to the Pandya family. Stay strong, cricket family is with you. — Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) 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
Terrible news for the Pandya family. Heart goes out to @hardikpandya7 and @krunalpandya24. You told me of the role your father played in you guys becoming the cricketers you did. Wish you strength. — Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) January 16, 2021
With inputs from PTI
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