India’s cricket bosses led nationwide tributes yesterday following the death of the country’s wheelchair-bound “superfan” Charulata Patel at the age of 87.
The grandmother shot to attention after being spotted in the crowd watching India play Bangladesh at last year’s World Cup in England, enthusiastically blowing a vuvuzela and with the Indian tricolour painted on her cheeks.
After the match – which India won – captain Virat Kohli and deputy captain Rohit Sharma sought out Patel and asked for her blessings for the rest of their campaign.
She later featured in a Pepsi advert cheering on the Indian team for the tournament.
Kohli said that she was “one of the most passionate and dedicated fans I’ve ever seen”.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) paid tribute on Twitter after Patel’s family announced her death.
“#TeamIndia’s Superfan Charulata Patel-ji will always remain in our hearts and her passion for the game will keep motivating us. May her soul rest in peace,” said the BCCI.
As the news spread on the Internet, Twitterati offered condolence.
The International Cricket Council shared its condolences on Twitter as well.
The tweet read, “RIP Charulata Patel-ji, the 87-year-old superfan who cheered India on at #CWC19.”
Opening batsman Shikhar Dhawan tweeted: “RIP Charulata Patel-Ji. Will always remember your passion for the game. Thank you for your unconditional love and support.”
The family said on Patel’s official Instagram account, cricket.daadi (grandmother), that she died on Monday.
They thanked Kohli for making her a social media sensation last year, saying “she loved the attention.”
In this file photo taken on July 9, 2019, Charulata Patel is seen cheering on the Indian team during the 2019 Cricket World Cup first semi-final between India and New Zealand at Old Trafford in Manchester.
