Indian skipper Virat Kohli pays tribute to Milkha Singh, says he will 'never be forgotten'

Indian skipper Virat Kohli, who is currently in Southampton with his Test Team for the World Test Championship (WTC), has paid his tribute to Milkha Singh who passed away on Friday at the age of 91. He had tested positive for COVID-19 in May this year.

The captain took to Twitter and shared a photo with the former sprinter and wrote that he will never be forgotten. 

"A legacy that inspired a whole nation to aim for excellence. To never give up and chase your dreams. Rest in Peace #MilkhaSingh ji. You will never be forgotten," Kohli wrote.

A legacy that inspired a whole nation to aim for excellence. To never give up and chase your dreams. Rest in Peace #MilkhaSingh ji. You will never be forgotten. pic.twitter.com/IXVmM86Hiv

— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) June 19, 2021

One of the country`s earliest sports heroes, Milkha died of COVID-19 related complications in a hospital in Chandigarh late on Friday night, leaving the whole nation in shock and disbelief. 

His wife, Nirmal Milkha Singh succumbed to COVID-19 at the age of 85 on June 13. The legendary athlete was a four-time Asian Games gold-medallist and 1958 Commonwealth Games champion. He was the only Indian athlete to win Gold in the Asian and Commonwealth Championship.

He was awarded the Padma Shri, India's fourth-highest civilian honor, in recognition of his sporting achievements. He is survived by one son and three daughters. His son Jeev Milkha Singh is also a renowned Golfer.

Milkha had a personal best of 20.7 seconds in 200m in Lahore on January 31, 1960. It set him up for a gallant show in the Rome Olympic Games where he clocked a National Record time of 45.6 seconds in the 400m final on September 6. 

Besides his 1960 Olympic Games heroics, Milkha Singh will be remembered for his victory in the 1958 Commonwealth Games in Cardiff. He won gold in the 440-yard sprint in a Games Record time of 46.6 seconds.

(Inputs from ANI)