The 87-year-old cricket enthusiast Charulata Patel passed away on January 13. She gained media attention last year, after she was spotted watching the Indian team play during one of the World Cup matches.
Key Takeaways
- Charulata Patel, the 87-year-old cricket fan, passed away on 13th January. The news of her demise was informed by Charulata's grandchildren via her official Instagram handle, @cricket.dadi
- She came into the limelight last year after she attended a World Cup (2019) match between India and Bangladesh. Impressed by her enthusiasm and dedication, post-match, cricketers Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli went up to her to see her blessings.
- The Indian Captain Virat Kohli was so impressed that he tweeted about Charulata Patel calling her a ''dedicated fan'' and also gave her a free ticket for the Indian team's next match against Sri Lanka.
The news of Patel's passing away was confirmed by her official Instagram handle, Cricket Dadi. "It is with a heavy heart that I inform you, our beautiful grandmother took her final breath on 13/01 at 5.30 pm. She was such a sweet little lady, its true 'small things come in small packages' our Dadi was a delight, she was/is truly extraordinary. She was our world. I want to thank you all for making her feel special last year, she loved the attention. A big thank you to @virat.kohli you made her feel extra special, meeting you and @rohitsharma45 was the best day of her life (she told us this on multiple occasions). May Lord Shiva bless her atman always, please all say a prayer." read the post.
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When Charulata Won Every Cricket Fan's Heart
Charulata Patel had won every cricket fan's heart after she visited the stadium to see team India's match against Bangladesh. The wheelchair-bound Patel was seen cheering for India by blowing a vuvuzela during a World Cup game against Bangladesh on July 2 2019, in Birmingham.
After meeting the super fan, the Indian Captain Virat Kohli wrote a heartwarming message for the fan. On Twitter, he called Charulata Patel one of the most "passionate’’ and "dedicated fan.''
"Also would like to thank all our fans for all the love & support & especially Charulata Patel Ji. She's 87 and probably one of the most passionate & dedicated fans I've ever seen. Age is just a number, the passion takes you leaps & bounds. With her blessings, on to the next one," Kohli had tweeted.
After seeking her blessings, Kohli had gifted Charulata Patel a ticket to India’s next match against Sri Lanka in Leeds, England.
Subsequently, the octogenarian fan had spoken to ANI. She told ANI that she had been watching cricket for many decades. She added that she had witnessed the historical 1983 cricket match in the stadium.
The Condolences Offered On Twitter
The BCCI offered the family its condolences on Twitter.
The Indian Opening Batsman Shikhar Dhawan played a tribute to the cricket fan on Twitter.
The official Twitter handles of IPL cricket teams offered their tributes to the cricket fan too.
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Image Credits: OBN
Gaurika Taneja is an intern with SheThePeople.Tv
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