Priya Punia’s father gives Virat Kohli’s example to motivate daughter following mother’s death

Priya Punia’s father gives Virat Kohli’s example to motivate daughter following mother’s death

Priya Punia and Virat Kohli

The COVID-19 pandemic has been wreaking havoc in India at the moment and the second wave has proved to be even more deadly than the first, leading to a plethora of positive cases and deaths around the country. There are plenty of problems that have arisen as well such as the shortage of oxygen, unavailability of hospital beds and so much more, leading to a very dire situation prevailing in the country.

In that vein, Indian women’s team cricketer Priya Punia lost her mother to the virus a few days earlier. The 24-year-old batswoman who made her debut for the national side in 2019, took to Instagram to announce the sad news.

”Today I realized why you always told me to be strong. You knew that one day I would need the strength to bear the loss of yours. I miss you mom! No matter the distance I know you are always there with me. My guiding star, my mom.. Love you always. Some truth in life are hard to accept. Your memories will never be forgotten! Rest In Peace Mom,” she wrote.

“There will be many occasions in life when you have to fight challenges and move forward,” Priya Punia’s father Saroj Punia

Priya Punia with her father Surendra Punia

Speaking to the Times of India, Punia’s father Surendra recalled how his wife’s health worsened. “She was doing fine, but after oxygen supply disturbance, her oxygen level dropped and had to be put on ventilator support. But we couldn’t save her,” Priya’s father said.

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While Punia has been named in the Indian team for their England tour, she was in condition to join her teammates. Her father gave the example of Virat Kohli playing in the Ranji Trophy following his father’s death as an example to motivate her. Surendra informs that Punia understands what she needs to do and is ready to don the Indian colors keeping her personal loss aside.

“I inspired Priya. I told her that Virat Kohli had gone to play Ranji Trophy after his father’s death. This is a very difficult time for us, but we need to be mentally strong. There will be many occasions in life when you have to fight challenges and move forward. Priya understands this and she told me that, Papa I am ready to represent India,” he added.

It is noteworthy that her teammate Veda Krishnamurthy had recently lost both her mother and sister to COVID-19 just weeks apart. The BCCI has decided to rest Veda for the England tour giving her time to mourn her family members.

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