Sakariya loses father to Covid

Rajasthan Royals (RR) pacer Chetan Sakariya's father died of COVID-19, the Indian Premier League franchise said on Sunday.

"It pains us so much to confirm that Mr Kanjibhai Sakariya lost his battle with Covid-19 earlier today. We're in touch with Chetan and will provide all possible support to him and his family in this difficult time," RR tweeted. Left-arm fast bowler Chetan Sakariya, who played his first Indian Premier League season in 2021, had lost his brother in January this year.

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.

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.