Indian sports community mourns tragic demise of former NBA legend Kobe Bryant

Retired NBA legend, Kobe Bryant (41) and his daughter Gianna along with nine people passed away in a helicopter crash near Calabasas, Calif. The accident came as a shock to the sports fans, especially the basketball community. From Indian cricket team captain, Virat Kohli to Rohit Sharma, here's how the Indian Sports community paid their tribute to the former NBA star,

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Absolutely devastated to hear this news today. So many childhood memories of waking up early and watching this magician doing things on the court that I would be mesmerized by. Life is so unpredictable and fickle. His daughter Gianna passed away too in the crash. Iam absolutely Heartbroken. Rest in peace. Strength and condolences to the family 🙏

A post shared by Virat Kohli (@virat.kohli) on Jan 26, 2020 at 3:50pm PST

Paying his tribute, the Indian Cricket Team captain wrote,

"Absolutely devastated to hear this news today. So many childhood memories of waking up early and watching this magician doing things on the court that I would be mesmerized by."

On the other hand, Mumbai Indians skipper and Indian opener, Rohit Sharma wrote,

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Sad day for the sporting world today. One of the greats of the game gone too soon. Rest in peace Kobe Bryant and his little daughter Gianna and the other victims

A post shared by Rohit Sharma (@rohitsharma45) on Jan 26, 2020 at 3:57pm PST

Rohit Sharma expressed his grief and described Bryant's demise as a 'sad day for the sporting world'.

The Premier Badminton League (PBL) India, called the accident as a 'devastating loss for the sports fraternity,'

A devastating loss for the sports fraternity.#RIPMamba

Pic courtesy: https://t.co/VLWsq1oBMp pic.twitter.com/m3rAhjjyUd

— PBL India (@PBLIndiaLive) January 27, 2020

Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise, Mumbai Indians declared that 'his legacy will live on forever,'

His legacy will live on forever. Rest In Peace, Kobe. #RIPMamba @NBA pic.twitter.com/lsA1eZzN7p

— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) January 27, 2020

Descibing it as a 'shocking tragedy', Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan also expressed his condolences for the retired NBA star,

Heartbreaking to hear about Kobe, his daughter and everyone onboard the helicopter. Shocking tragedy.
Sincere condolences to the friends & family. #RIPMamba 🙏 pic.twitter.com/M1AYxnkqkW

— Shikhar Dhawan (@SDhawan25) January 27, 2020

Indian batsman, Shreyas Iyer took Twitter to state that he was 'devastated' after the fatal helicopter crash that claimed Bryant and his daughter's lives,

Rest in peace Kobe and his daughter and also the victims of the helicopter crash. Devastated 💔 pic.twitter.com/6vno0IZ3uK

— Shreyas Iyer (@ShreyasIyer15) January 27, 2020

Indian legend, Sachin Tendulkar also expressed his grief and offered 'condolences to his family, friends and fans across the world,'

Saddened to hear about the tragic demise of Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna & others on-board the helicopter.
My condolences to his family, friends and fans across the world. #KobeBryant pic.twitter.com/N8B4Tcr4KU

— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) January 27, 2020