Stress management is not a skill that anyone can master. It is a very brave thing to be able to come out of life stronger after difficult times, and there are stories of this courage, especially in sports. Athletes display knowledge not only about their bodies but also about their minds, which sets them apart. It is this feedback that makes a difference for athletes, not only in sports but also in life. Presenting to you the Top 10 cricketers who lost their parents:
1. Virat Kohli
On December 19, 2006, Virat Kohli who was 18 years old was playing a Ranji Cup match against Karnataka when his 54-year-old father, Prem, died of a heart attack. The hitter, who hit 40 that night, surprised everyone by going out the next morning and hitting 90, saving Delhi from the follow-on. And today, 13 years later, he is the best batsman in the cricket world.
2. Sachin Tendulkar
During the 1999 World Cup, Sachin learned that his father had died of a heart attack. As he rushed home for his late father's final journey, India lost for the second time in the competitive tournament. Returning the day before the match against Kenya, Sachin hit 140 of the 101 balls unbeaten to help India chase 329 and win the match.
3. Alzarri Joseph
He is a cricketer from the West Indies who bowls fast and medium. He plays for the Rajasthan Royals in the IPL. When Alzarri Joseph lost his mother during a test match against England in 2019. Joseph was congratulated by the English team when he came to bat against England for the win because of his courage.
4. Naseem Shah
He is a right-arm pacer from Pakistan who debuted at the age of 16. He lost his mother at the age of 16, but he did not return to his home for the funeral; instead, he played the match and performed brilliantly against Australia. He has a huge female fan base all over the world.
5. Rishabh Pant
He is a cricketer from India who is a left-handed opener and wicketkeeper. In 2022, he was in a car accident and received burn injuries throughout the body. During the 2017 IPL, Pant's father died of a heart attack. He kept his word as he hurried home for the final ceremony, making sure to rejoin the team two days later.
6. Lungi Ngidi
A prominent fast bowler from South Africa who bowls from a higher elevation. He is a part of the Chennai Super Kings in the IPL. Ngidi’s father died during the 2018 IPL. He flew to South Africa to perform the death rituals and then returned to India and played the remaining of the IPL, taking over 15 wickets and helping CSK win its 4th IPL title.
7. Mohammad Siraj
He is a cricketer from India who bowls right-arm fast medium. He comes from a very poor family, and his father was an auto driver. He is currently the No. 1 bowler in Test cricket. When India visited Australia in 2020, Mohammed Siraj's father had already passed away. Siraj was unable to attend his father's funeral.
8. Mandeep Singh
He is a cricketer for India and the captain of Punjab in Ranji matches. He played for the Punjab Kings in the IPL. During the mid-season, his father died due to a prolonged illness, and his elder brother performed the rituals while he attended the ritual through video call. He played the next match and played a crucial inning for Punjab.
9. Tushar Deshpande
He is a domestic cricketer from India who represents Chennai Super Kings in the IPL. He is a right-arm fast-medium bowler and has yet to make his debut for India. Tushar Deshpande's mother passed away shortly before the start of the 2019 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. He chose to play for Mumbai instead of going home, becoming the tournament's second-highest scorer.
10. Vinod Kambli
He is a former cricketer from India, and he was the best friend of cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar. His mother died due to cardiac arrest before the Ranji Trophy match between SF and TN in Mumbai. He played in the semi-final match, and he said it was one of the hardest games he played as he was always emotional during the game.
