IPL 2021: Chetan Sakariya of Rajasthan Royals loses father to COVID-19
Chetan Sakariya is an uncapped Indian pacer who has been playing for Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League since this season. He is aged 22 and represents Saurashtra in the domestic circuit. COVID-19 has affected the cricketing fraternity hard.
FollowIndian cricketer fraternity has been dealt with yet another blow amidst the raging pandemic. Uncapped Indian pacer Chetan Sakariya, who made a name for himself in this Indian Premier League, playing for Rajasthan Royals, has lost his father to COVID-19.
Kanjibhai Sakariya, the father of the 22-year-old Saurashtra lad, had tested positive during IPL 2021 before passing away on Sunday. He is the second family member of Sakariya to die this year. At the same time, his younger brother Rahul had committed suicide earlier this year, just weeks before the IPL 2021 auction, when Sakariya was bought by RR for ₹1.2 crore.
Sakariya happens to be the sole earner in his family, as Kanjibhai used to ride tempo before things came to a halt. He lived in a one-room house before IPL came calling and had earlier told ESPNCricinfo that he wanted to own a new home through his IPL 2021 earnings.
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"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," said RR in a tweet.
Sakariya delivered for RR this season, as he is so far the third-highest wicket-taker for the side, claiming seven wickets from seven games at an economy of 8.22. He has decent Twenty20 figures, claiming 35 in 23 at 7.44, including a four-for and fifer.
Other than Sakariya, many other Indian cricketing family members have been affected by COVID. Starting from MS Dhoni to Ravichandran Ashwin, even umpire Nitin Menon had to withdraw from the tournament for the same reason. Furthermore, multiple breaches in the bubble of the IPL franchise has led to the postponement of the competition this season.
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