GUWAHATI, Jan 16: Remember Charulata Patil? The 87-year-old woman who became the toast of the entire cricketing world after she was seen cheering for the Men in Blue during the ICC Cricket World Cup in England last year has passed away.
Charulata Patel’s official Instagram profile, cricket.daadi, confirmed the news of her passing away.
“It is with a heavy heart that I inform you, our beautiful grandmother took her final breath on 13/01 at 5.30pm. She was such a sweet little lady, it’s true ‘small things come in small packages’ our Dadi was a delight, she was/is truly extraordinary. She was our world. I want to thank you all for making her feel special last year, she loved the attention. A big thank you to @virat.kohli you made her feel extra special, meeting you and @rohitsharma45 was the best day of her life (she told us this on multiple occasions). May Lord Shiva bless her atman always, please all say a prayer,” the cricket.daadi post read.
The BCCI also paid tribute to the superfan, mourning her demise.
“#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,” the BCCI posted.
#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 pic.twitter.com/WUTQPWCpJR
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 16, 2020
Team India opener Shikhar Dhwan retweeted BCCI’s tweet as he paid his tributes to the superfan of the Indian Cricket Team.
RIP Charulata Patel Ji ?.. Will always remember your passion for the game. Thank you for your unconditional love and support. ❤ https://t.co/cagXV0ghW4
— Shikhar Dhawan (@SDhawan25) January 16, 2020
The ICC also paid tribute to Mrs Charulata on its social media platforms.
R.I.P Charulata Patel ji, the 87-year-old superfan who cheered India on at #CWC19 pic.twitter.com/waw6ux9wxK
— ICC (@ICC) January 16, 2020
The octogenarian had become an overnight celebrity when TV footages showed her cheering for India in the match against Bangladesh at Edgbaston in Birmingham. She was seen with a horn and the tri-colour painted on her face with an enthusiasm that couldn’t have been second to anyone rooting for an Indian victory.
Team India Captain Virat Kokhli and his deputy in the match Rohit Sharma couldn’t control their excitement and walked up to her to seek her blessings after the match.