Indian team wears black armbands to pay respect to late Lata Mangeshkar

The Rohit Sharma-led Indian cricket team wore black armbands in the first ODI against the West Indies, to pay respect to the legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar, who died on Sunday morning in a Mumbai hospital.

Ahmedabad:The Rohit Sharma-led Indian cricket team wore black armbands in the first ODI against the West Indies, to pay respect to the legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar, who died on Sunday morning in a Mumbai hospital.

Mangeshkar, 92, one of the biggest music icons of the country, died due to multiple organ failure earlier in the day, according to her sister Usha Mangeshkar and doctors treating her.

"The Indian Cricket Team is wearing black armbands today to pay their respects to Bharat Ratna Smt Lata Mangeshkar ji, who left for her heavenly abode on Sunday morning. The queen of melody, Lata didi loved cricket, always supported the game and backed Team India," the BCCI tweeted. The Indian team also observed a minute's silence as a mark of respect for the departed singer.

"TeamIndia members observe a minute silence before the start of play to pay their respects to Bharat Ratna Sushri Lata Mangeshkar ji. RIPLataJi," the cricket board stated in another tweet.

Earlier in the day, the BCCI wrote: "The BCCI joins the nation in mourning the loss of Bharat Ratna Smt Lata Mangeshkar ji. The queen of melody enthralled the country for decades. An avid follower of the game and an ardent supporter of Team India, she helped create an awareness using music as a medium #RIPLataji.

A Gujarat Cricket Association (GCA) official said that the India flag will be flown at half-mast at the stadium and there will be no celebrations held by the state cricket body.

Mangeshkar had tested positive for coronavirus with mild symptoms and was admitted on January 8 to the Breach Candy Hospital's Intensive Care Unit (ICU), where she was being treated by Dr Pratit Samdani and his team.

(PTI)