Former India fast bowler RP Singh loses father to Covid-19

MUMBAI: The Covid-19 pandemic has left a number of cricketers in a bereaved state. The latest to have been struck by the tragedy is former India pacer RP Singh, whose father Shiv Prasad Singh passed away on Wednesday due to Covid-19.
"It is with deepest grief and sadness we inform the passing away of my father, Mr Shiv Prasad Singh. He left for his heavenly abode on 12th May after suffering from Covid.We request you to keep my beloved father in your thoughts and prayers. RIP Papa," RP Singh wrote on Twitter. His father had tested positive for coronavirus a few weeks back and was undergoing treatment at the Medanta Hospital in Lucknow. The 35-year-old had withdrawn his name from the commentary team for IPL 2021 due to his father's illness.

RP Singh, who was a part of Team India when it won the inaugural edition of the T20 World Cup in South Africa in 2007 under MS Dhoni, represented India in 14 Tests, 58 ODIs and 10 Twenty20 Internationals. In 2018, he had retired at the age of 32, and had become a TV commentator. He is currently a part of the BCCI's Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) which appoints coaches and selectors for the national men's and women's teams.
Just a couple of days back, RP Singh had condoled the demise of his former India and Uttar Pradesh teammate Piyush Chawla's father. The left-spinner lost his father Pramod due to Covid-19. Last week, Saurashtra and Rajasthan Royals left-arm pacer Chetan Sakariya had also lost his father to Covid-19. Sakariya, who played for the Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2021, had been with his father at the hospital after heading home from the tournament, which was suspended due to positive Covid-19 cases in its bio-bubble.