Pranab Mukherjee dies at 84: Virat Kohli, Sachin Tendulkar mourn as condolence messages pour in

India captain Virat Kohli and batting great Sachin Tendulkar led tributes from the sports fraternity for former President and veteran Congressman Pranab Mukherjee who died on Monday due to prolonged illness. He was 84.

Pranab Mukherjee, who served as India’s President between 2012 and 2017, had been in a deep state of comatose owing to complications following a lifesaving surgery.

Pranab Mukherjee’s son Abhijit took to Twitter and made the announcement. In a social media post, he said, “With a Heavy Heart, this is to inform you that my father Shri #PranabMukherjee has just passed away in spite of the best efforts of Doctors of RR Hospital & prayers,duas & prarthanas from people throughout India! I thank all of You Folded hands.”

India captain Virat Kohli took to social media and mourned the loss of the former President, saying the nation has lost a brilliant leader.

“The nation has lost a brilliant leader. Saddened to hear about the passing of Shri Pranab Mukherjee. My sincere condolences to his family,” Kohli said.

Sachin Tendulkar wrote in his social media post: “Deeply saddened to hear about the demise of former President Shri Pranab Mukherjee. He served India passionately for several decades. My condolences to his family & loved ones. May his soul rest in peace.”

Mumbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma also shared a message of condolence on his social media: “Rest in Peace #PranabMukherjee ji. An inspiring figure to the nation. My condolences are with his loved ones.”

The nation has lost a brilliant leader. Saddened to hear about the passing of Shri Pranab Mukherjee. My sincere condolences to his family. ????

— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) August 31, 2020

Rest in Peace #PranabMukherjee ji. An inspiring figure to the nation. My condolences are with his loved ones.

— Rohit Sharma (@ImRo45) August 31, 2020

Deeply saddened to hear about the demise of former President Shri Pranab Mukherjee. He served India passionately for several decades.

My condolences to his family & loved ones. May his soul rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/c7tXTSFwYw

— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) August 31, 2020

My heartfelt condolences on the passing away of Shri #PranabMukherjee . Om Shanti pic.twitter.com/Q2noCKVFnq

— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) August 31, 2020

Deeply saddened to hear about the demise of former President Shri Pranab Mukherjee. He belonged to the league of leaders respected & loved across the spectrum. May god give strength to his family & loves ones. The nation will remember his immense contributions forever! pic.twitter.com/aqsilNOOgb

— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) August 31, 2020

My deepest condolences on the sad demise of our former President Shri #PranabMukherjee Ji. Sir, your contribution to the nation will always be remembered. RIP Pranab Da ?? pic.twitter.com/fxk6SnUElB

— Ravi Shastri (@RaviShastriOfc) August 31, 2020

We are surrounded by a cloud of sadness once again this year with the unfortunate demise of India’s former President Shri Pranab Mukherjee(@CitiznMukherjee). Deeply saddened by the news. My heartfelt condolences to the family for such a major loss. God help them to cope with this pic.twitter.com/H3gGXikg56

— MANOJ TIWARY (@tiwarymanoj) August 31, 2020

After having been unwell for a few days, Pranab Mukherjee underwent life-saving emergency surgery for brain clot at R&R Hospital in Delhi on August 10. He had been on ventilator support thereafter. He had tested positive for Covid-19 the same day.

On August 19, Pranab Mukherjee developed a lung infection. On August 25, the doctors found his renal parameters slightly deranged for which he was given treatment. His health condition declined further Monday morning.

In a political career that spanned over five decades. As a Congress leader, Pranab Mukherjee held a wide array of top cabinet posts. For his distinguished service to the nation, he was first awarded India’s second-highest civilian award, Padma Vibhushan in 2008 and then honoured with Bharat Ratna – India’s highest civilian award in 2019.