Former cricketer Sanjay Dobhal passes away aged 53 after late detection of COVID-19

The Coronavirus pandemic has wreaked havoc across the world and even the cricketing arena has not been spared. Several cricketers have already contracted the virus while Pakistan’s former first-class cricketers Zafar Sarfaraz and Riaz Sheikh succumbed to it. On Monday, the Indian cricketing fraternity suffered a huge loss as the former cricketer and the coach Sanjay Dobhal passed away aged 53.

He was suffering from a severe case of pneumonia and after repeated tests, it was also found out that he was contracted with COVID-19. Due to the late detection of Coronavirus and penumonia, Sanjay’s lungs had suffered a major blow. Following the turn of events, the doctor had suggested a plasma therapy and several Indian cricketers, especially from Delhi, had taken to Twitter on Sunday to seek help for their beloved friend.

Aakash Chopra was the one to start things off as he urged Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir to spread the world and help Sanjay Dobhal. Mithun Manhas and Virender Sehwag were also among the cricketers to come forward for Sanjay during the tough times.

“If anyone in Delhi has recovered from Covid-19 atleast 20 days ago, request you to please donate blood O-ve and help with plasma therapy for Sanjay Dobhal. He is critical and in urgent need of plasma therapy,” Sehwag had tweeted urging people to come forward to help their friend.

If anyone in Delhi has recovered from Covid-19 atleast 20 days ago, request you to please donate blood O-ve and help with plasma therapy for Sanjay Dobhal. He is critical and in urgent need of plasma therapy. pic.twitter.com/XlsaK3GvW8

— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) June 28, 2020

Aakash Chopra confirmed the news of Sanjay’s passing away

Unfortunately, Sanjay Dobhal breathed his last on Monday and the news was confirmed by Aakash Chopra himself on his official Twitter handle. He was shocked and deeply saddened with it and termed Sanjay Dobhal as an important member of India’s cricketing fraternity.

“Shocked and saddened. Lost an important member of our cricket fraternity today. Sanjay Dobhal bhai (53) is no more. There isn’t a cricketer in this country who he didn’t help…and did it with a smile. Always. Went away too soon…may your soul R.I.P,” his tweet read. Moreover, after the word was spread about the need for O+ve and O-ve blood on Twitter, the plasma therapy was arranged on Sunday morning.

Shocked and saddened. Lost an importat member of our cricket fraternity today. Sanjay Dobhal bhai (53) is no more. There isn’t a cricketer in this country who he didn’t help…and did it with a smile. Always. Went away too soon…may your soul R.I.P. #Covid_19

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) June 29, 2020