5 Indian Cricketers Who Overcame Personal Grief To Return To The Field

Sachin Tendulkar & Virat Kohli returned to cricket swiftly despite deep personal losses (Twitter)Sachin Tendulkar & Virat Kohli returned to cricket swiftly despite deep personal losses (Twitter)

Life has a way of throwing curveballs when least expected, even at those who seem to have it all together on the grand stage of competitive cricket.

For some Indian cricketers, the journey has been more than just about runs and wickets; it’s been about battling through profound personal grief while the world watched.

These athletes have faced personal tragedies that would knock the wind out of most, yet they have risen commendably, returning to the field with a steely resolve.

Let’s take a look at top 5 Indian cricketers who overcame grief to return to the field:

5. Chetan Sakariya

Chetan Sakariya (Twitter)Chetan Sakariya (Twitter)

Former Rajasthan Royals pacer, Chetan Sakariya faced not just one but two tragic losses in a short span of time. In early 2021, Sakariya was playing in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy when his brother died by suicide. Unaware of the tragedy during the tournament, he only learned about it upon returning home.

Despite the overwhelming grief, Sakariya continued his cricketing journey and made his debut for Rajasthan Royals in the IPL. However, during the IPL 2021 season, just as he was finding his rhythm, Sakariya's father, Kanjibhai, tested positive for Covid-19.

The virus eventually claimed his father's life on May 9, 2021, shortly after the IPL was postponed due to the pandemic.

4. Harshal Patel

Harshal Patel (Twitter)Harshal Patel (Twitter)

Harshal Patel's IPL 2022 season was marked by a heartbreaking personal loss when he received the devastating news of his sister's death.

The tragedy struck right after Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) secured a win over Mumbai Indians in Pune on April 12.

Harshal immediately left the bio-secure bubble to be with his grieving family. Despite the emotional toll, Harshal returned to the team just a few days later, ahead of their match against Delhi Capitals on April 16.


3. Mohammed Siraj

Mohammed Siraj directly visited his father's grave upon his return from Australia (Twitter)Mohammed Siraj directly visited his father's grave upon his return from Australia (Twitter)

Mohammed Siraj faced one of the toughest challenges of his life during India's tour of Australia in 2020-21. Just as he was beginning to establish himself as a key player in the Indian bowling attack, Siraj received the shattering news that his father, Mohammed Ghaus, had passed away after a brief illness.

Stranded in Australia due to the strict quarantine and bio-bubble protocols enforced by the global pandemic, Siraj was unable to return home to attend his father's funeral.

Despite the heavy heart and emotional turmoil, Siraj chose to stay with the team, channelling his grief into his game. His perseverance paid off as he emerged as India's leading wicket-taker in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, playing a crucial role in India's historic 2-1 series victory.

2. Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli (Twitter)Virat Kohli (Twitter)

Virat Kohli's journey through grief is one of the most compelling stories of determination and mental strength in cricket.

In December 2006, while playing a Ranji Trophy match for Delhi, the then-18-year-old Kohli received the devastating news that his father, Prem Kohli, had passed away.

Despite the overwhelming loss, Kohli made the extraordinary decision to return to the field the very next day, determined to fulfill his father’s dreams.

He played a vital innings, scoring 90 runs, which proved crucial for his team. This experience shaped Kohli's approach to the game, reinforcing his resolve and his ability to thrive under pressure and driving him to become one of the greatest cricketers of his generation.

1. Sachin Tendulkar

Sachin Tendulkar (Twitter)Sachin Tendulkar (Twitter)

Sachin Tendulkar’s return to cricket after the loss of his father, Ramesh Tendulkar, during the 1999 World Cup, is one of the most emotional and powerful moments in the history of the sport.

Tendulkar was in England when he received the heartbreaking news, and he immediately flew back to India to be with his family. Many believed that his World Cup journey was over, but just four days later, Tendulkar made the brave decision to rejoin the Indian team.

In his first match back, against Kenya, Tendulkar scored a magnificent century, a performance that was as much a tribute to his father as it was a display of his incredible spirit.

That innings, played with tears in his eyes and a heavy heart, stands proof of Tendulkar’s mental toughness and his deep commitment to the game.