Mandeep Singh steps up for Kings XI Punjab despite his father's death
Earlier in the day, Nitish Rana dedicated his innings to his father-in-law, who died on Friday
ESPNcricinfo staff
24-Oct-2020
Mandeep Singh plays one square of the wicket • BCCI
A day after losing his father, Mandeep Singh chose to step out in the Kings XI Punjab's IPL 2020 match against the Sunrisers Hyderabad in Dubai. Singh's father Hardev died on Friday evening, and he is understood to have told his franchise that he was up to playing the game. The Kings XI team wore a black armband as a mark of respect.
On Saturday, Singh opened with his captain KL Rahul but could manage only 17 off 14 before being caught in the deep off Sandeep Sharma.
As Singh walked out to bat, some of the Sunrisers' players consoled him including their lead spinner Rashid Khan. A couple of years ago, Khan lost his father while playing for the Adelaide Strikers in the Big Bash League. Khan, too, had opted to continue playing at the time.
Loss of a loved one hurts, but what's more heartbreaking is when one doesn't get to say a final goodbye. Praying for @mandeeps12, @NitishRana_27 and their families to heal from this tragedy. Hats off for turning up today. Well played.
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) October 24, 2020
Earlier in the day, the Kolkata Knight Riders' Nitish Rana dedicated his half-century against the Delhi Capitals to his father-in-law, who died of cancer on Friday. Opening the innings, Rana scored 81 off 53 and, along with Sunil Narine, added 115 in 56 balls for the fourth wicket to steer the side to 194 for 6. Varun Chakravarthy then picked up 5 for 20, the first five-wicket haul of IPL 2020, to help give the Knight Riders a 59-run win.
The Knight Riders' victory has made things difficult for the Kings XI. If the Kings XI beat the Sunrisers and also win their next two games, they can reach up to 16 points but even that may not be enough to qualify for the playoffs.