'Unreal & Unbelievable': Sports Fraternity On Rishi Kapoor's Untimely Death

In February, Rishi Kapoor was hospitalised twice due to his health issues. The news comes in just a day after the sudden demise of another acting maestro Irrfan Khan

Photo: Twitter

Members of the sports fraternity mourned the passing of Rishi Kapoor as they came in unison to pay tribute to the veteran Bollywood actor, who passed away aged 67 early on Thursday morning. The acting maestro had been under treatment for cancer. In February, Kapoor was hospitalised twice due to his health issues. The news comes in just a day after the sudden demise of another acting maestro Irrfan Khan. India skipper Virat Kohli took to Twitter to express grief after Rishi Kapoor's untimely death. "This is unreal and unbelievable. Yesterday Irrfan Khan and today Rishi Kapoor ji. It's hard to accept this as a legend passes away today. My condolences to the family and may his soul rest in peace," Kohli tweeted.

This is unreal and unbelievable. Yesterday Irrfan Khan and today Rishi Kapoor ji. It's hard to accept this as a legend passes away today. My condolences to the family and may his soul rest in peace 😟💔

— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) April 30, 2020

Cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar took also took to Twitter to pay tribute to Rishi and his post read: "Very very sad about the passing of Rishi ji. I grew up watching his movies and he was also very gracious whenever we met over the years. May his soul rest in peace. My heartfelt condolences to Neetu ji, Ranbir and the whole family."

Very very sad to hear about the passing away of Rishi ji. I grew up watching his movies and he was always very gracious when we met over the years. May his soul Rest in Peace.

My heartfelt condolences to Neetu ji, Ranbir and the whole Kapoor family. 🙏 pic.twitter.com/MItdmmSnVz — Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) April 30, 2020

Former India opener Virender Sehwag wrote: "Extremely disheartened to learn about the passing of Rishi Kapoor ji. Heartfelt condolences to his family."

Extremely disheartened to learn about the passing away of #RishiKapoor ji. Heartfelt condolences to his family. Om Shanti ! pic.twitter.com/fXcbomrpN5

— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) April 30, 2020

Former India cricketer Madan Lal wrote: "Shocking and devastating this news has been. Can't imagine that Rishi Kapoor is no more. 2020 has been devastating."

Shocking and shattering this news has been . Cant imagine that Rishi Kapoor is no more ..2020 has been devastating!! @therealkapildev @vikrantgupta73 heartbreaking!!

— Madan Lal (@MadanLal1983) April 30, 2020

"Shocking to say the least. Never a dull moment with Rishi Kapoor around. A laugh a minute. My prayers and thoughts are with Neetu ji, Ranbir and Riddhima. God bless his soul," said India head coach Ravi Shastri.

Shocking to say the least. Never a dull moment with #RishiKapoor around. A laugh a minute.

My prayers and thoughts are with Neetu ji, Ranbir and Riddhima. God bless his soul 🙏 #RIPLegend pic.twitter.com/e6jVOW5Pez — Ravi Shastri (@RaviShastriOfc) April 30, 2020

Ace India woman cricketer Mithali Raj tweeted: "Shocked by the demise of veteran actor Rishi Kapoorji. Never quite got his due for the acting genius that he was! His boyish smile,straight talking ,jovial & endearing personality won him millions of followers. Huge loss. Will miss dearly on the silver screen."

Shocked by the demise of veteran actor Rishi Kapoorji.Never quite got his due for the acting genius that he was! His boyish smile,straight talking ,jovial & endearing personality won him millions of followers.Huge loss.Will miss dearly on the silver screen. OM Shanti 🙏🏻 #gonesoon

— Mithali Raj (@M_Raj03) April 30, 2020

"Heart Broken Broken heart. Terrible week for the World cinema. An era ends with your demise but you will stay in our Hearts forever. My deepest condolences to the Kapoor family," former Pakistan speedster Waqar Younis tweeted.

Heart Broken 💔. Terrible week for the World cinema. An era ends with your demise but you will stay in our Hearts forever. My deepest condolences to the Kapoor family.#RIP #Legend pic.twitter.com/wVLxqD5INW

— Waqar Younis (@waqyounis99) April 30, 2020

Ace tennis player Sania Mirza said: "What a year already but what a sad and depressing week this is turning out to be. one bad news after the other .. Huge losses .. the country is mourning for these legends .. #ripirrfankhan #riprishikapoor."

What a year already but what a sad and depressing week this is turning out to be 😞 one bad news after the other .. Huge losses .. the country is mourning for these legends .. #ripirrfankhan #riprishikapoor

— Sania Mirza (@MirzaSania) April 30, 2020

"Woke up to this sad news...May his soul rest in peace ...we will miss u sir.," tweeted Indian shuttler Saina Nehwal.

Woke up to this sad news....May his soul rest in peace .. 🙏 we will miss u sir . #RishiKapoor pic.twitter.com/oHK6eiISuv

— Saina Nehwal (@NSaina) April 30, 2020

Rohan Bopanna tweeted: "Oh my god, waking up to read Mr. Rishi Kapoor passing away. Such a tragedy. Condolences to his family."

Oh my god, waking up to read Mr. Rishi Kapoor passing away. Such a tragedy. Condolences to his family #RIPRishiKapoor

— Rohan Bopanna (@rohanbopanna) April 30, 2020

In his last tweet, Rishi Kapoor appealed people not to attack medical staff at the frontlines of the fight against the coronavirus saying, "we have to win this war together". "An appeal to all brothers and sisters from all social status and faiths. Please don't resort to violence,stone-throwing or lynching. Doctors, Nurses, Medics, Policemen etc...are endangering their lives to save you. We have to win this coronavirus war together. Please. Jai Hind," his tweet read on April 2.

An appeal 🙏 to all brothers and sisters from all social status and faiths. Please don’t resort to violence,stone throwing or lynching. Doctors,Nurses,Medics, Policemen etc..are endangering their lives to save you. We have to win this Coronavirus war together. Please. Jai Hind!🇮🇳

— Rishi Kapoor (@chintskap) April 2, 2020