CSKvsGT-black-armbands-sportstiger

Picture Credit: BCCI/IPL

The cricketing fraternity was hit by a massive blow on Sunday morning as former Australian cricketer Andrew Symonds passed away in a car accident. The Australian media reported that Symonds succumbed to the injuries suffered in the accident. Notably, the 46-year-old was involved in a single-car accident outside Townsville in Queensland state on Saturday night.

After great Shane Warne and Rod Marsh, this was another tragic loss to the cricketing community. Symonds was reckoned as one of the top entertainers in the game who rocked the field every time he walked in. Apart from contributing to Australian cricket, Symonds also made a significant contribution to the Indian Premier League (IPL) during his playing days.

Thus, to mourn the demise of one of the top cricketers of the league, the players are sporting black armbands in Match 62 being played between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Gujarat Titans (GT).

Symonds player for two franchises over four seasons in IPL

The Australian cricketer was part of the Indian Premier League (IPL) since its inception in 2008. He started his IPL stint with the now-defunct Deccan Chargers. The swashbuckling all-rounder played for the Chargers for three seasons. He then joined the Mumbai Indians camp in 2011. In 39 IPL matches across four seasons, Symonds had scored 974 runs at an average and strike rate of 36.07 and 129.87 respectively.

Notably, Symonds was only the third batter to score an IPL century when he had smashed 117* (53) against Rajasthan Royals in a losing cause in Hyderabad. The Aussie had also picked 20 wickets at an average and economy rate of 33.70 and 7.67 respectively. His best bowling figure was 3/21. Apart from chipping in with bat and ball, Symonds was also electric in the field. He took 21 catches in the 39 games he played.