Bengaluru: India’s present and former cricketers condoled the death of legendary Bollywood actor Rishi Kapoor. The veteran star passed away in Mumbai on Thursday (April 30) at the age of 67.

Rishi breathed his last at a Mumbai hospital. In an official statement, the actor’s family said, “Our dear Rishi Kapoor passed away peacefully at 8:45am IST in hospital today after a two-year battle with leukemia. The doctors and medical staff at the hospital said he kept them entertained to the last. He remained jovial and determined to live to the fullest right through two years of treatment across two continents. Family, friends, food and films remained his focus and everyone who met him during this time was amazed at how he did not let his illness get the better of him.”

Also read: Cricketers pay tributes to Irrfan Khan

The actor was a cricket fanatic. Last year, he celebrated his 67th birthday in New York City with batting legend Sunil Gavaskar.

India captain Virat Kohli, batting legend Sachin Tendulkar, former opening batsman Virender Sehwag, former skipper Anil Kumble and several other cricketers took to Twitter to pay tributes to Rishi.

On his Twitter account, Kohli wrote, “This is unreal and unbelievable. Yesterday Irrfan Khan and today Rishi Kapoor ji. It's hard to accept this as a legend passes away today. My condolences to the family and may his soul rest in peace (Worried face, Broken heart emojis) (sic).”

“Very very sad to hear about the passing away of Rishi ji. I grew up watching his movies and he was always very gracious when we met over the years. May his soul Rest in Peace. My heartfelt condolences to Neetu ji, Ranbir and the whole Kapoor family. (Folded hands emoji) (sic),” Tendulkar wrote.