India captain Virat Kohli and vice-captain Rohit Sharma paid their tribute to the legendary NBA player, Kobe Bryant, who recently died in a helicopter crash in suburban Los Angeles. The retired LA Lakers star, 41, his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven others died early on Sunday in the crash. The accident took place on a hillside in Calabasas, northwest of downtown Los Angeles.

Virat and Rohit, who are currently busy with the national duty, took to Instagram to pay the tribute to Kobe Bryant. India captain said that he was “absolutely devastated” after hearing the news while Rohit referred the day like a sad day.

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma pay tribute to Kobe Bryant

Bryant, his daughter Gianna and seven other passengers and crew were travelling when their Sikorsky S-76 helicopter smashed into a rough hillside in Calabasas. Unfortunately, none of them survived. He was a five-time NBA champion and two-time Olympic gold medallist. Moreover, everyone knows him as one of the greatest basketball players in history as well.

Dozens of firefighters and paramedics tried to stop the firestorm at the crash area but failed to find any living person there, according to the officials.  On Sunday, nearly 200 people gathered at the foot of the hill near to the crash site, wearing Bryant jerseys. Others came to pay tribute near the Lakers practice facility which is at the outskirts of Los Angeles.

Fans and players at the National Football League’s Pro Bowl game in Orlando, Florida, witnessed a moment of silence. They wanted to commemorate the Lakers star, where the crowd chanted his name. In New York, the Madison Square Garden ceiling covered in purple and gold — the Lakers colours. The did it to honour the star player ahead of the Knicks and Nets game.

As per as Indian cricket is concerned, India have registered two successive wins. Their two wins came in the first two Twenty20 International games over New Zealand in Auckland. If they manage to win the third game, they will win the series as well.