Phillip Hughes' Death: Sachin Tendulkar, Fans Pay Emotional Tribute Online
Sachin Tendulkar posted a picture of his bat when he was 25 as a mark of respect for Australia's Phillip Hughes, who died on Thursday. Pictures of bats posted with the hashtag #putoutyourbats flooded Twitter as ordinary fans and other players alike joined in the touching memorial, a day after the 25-year-old's death.
Cricket bats were pictured leaning against front doors, stadiums and statues on Friday as the spontaneous #putoutyourbats tribute to fallen batsman Phillip Hughes went viral. Indian batting legend Sachin Tendulkar too paid his respects to Hughes on the micro-blogging site, Twitter. (Also read: Aussie seniors say 'not in perfect state of mind to play,' 1st Test vs India may be postponed)
My bat when I was 25. RIP Phil. #putoutyourbats pic.twitter.com/tFWYdfNxoc
- sachin tendulkar (@sachin_rt) November 28, 2014
Pictures of bats posted with the hashtag flooded Twitter as ordinary fans and star players alike joined in the touching memorial, a day after the 25-year-old's death. (India's tour match called-off)
West Indies legend Viv Richards was also among the cricketers to contribute, and Google Australia's home page was decorated with the simple picture of a bat.
Rest In Peace Phillip Hughes #putoutyourbats pic.twitter.com/j4FF0Ua1W2
- Viv Richards (@vivrichards56) November 28, 2014
Previously anonymous Sydney cricket fan Paul D. Taylor, who started the campaign, tweeted that he was "amazed and humbled" by the response. (Australian team grieves with India Test on ice)
He politely said "thank you, but no thank you" to media outlets requesting interviews, explaining: "#putoutyourbats isn't about me. (In memory of Phil Hughes, Pak fans light candles | Sri Lanka to pay silent tribute)
"It's just a way for all cricketers to show their respects to Phillip Hughes," Taylor wrote, under his handle @Squizabilly.
"We've all played cricket in one way or other. Backyard or beach cricket, no matter what level we've all grown up with a bat and ball. This is our way to connect and show our sadness."
Tributes to Hughes, who died from head injuries on Thursday two days after taking a ball to the head while batting, were taking place throughout the sporting world.
Flags flew at half-mast at Melbourne Cricket Ground and local cricket teams around Australia and India paused to observe a minute's silence for the Australian international.
Golf's world number one Rory McIlroy, playing at the Australian Open in Sydney, had a black ribbon pinned to his cap.
Pakistan and New Zealand, who called off Thursday's play in the third Test in Sharjah, observed a minutes silence and wore black armbands in tribute when the match resumed on Friday.
Before heading out, the New Zealand players placed their bats outside the team's dressing with their national black caps on them to join the "#putoutyourbat" campaign.
Fans of Western Sydney Wanderers planned a minute's applause at 63 minutes -- Hughes' score when he was struck down -- of Saturday's derby match against Sydney FC.
And Australia's rugby team will wear black armbands when they play England at Twickenham on Saturday.
Tennis star Rafael Nadal and New Zealand's All Blacks rugby team were among the large and diverse group to send their condolences after the extremely rare fatality.
Here are more tributes from sports persons all over the world:
#putoutyourbats Phil Hughes you will be missed rip! http://t.co/SoswHZtkHn
- yuvraj singh (@YUVSTRONG12) November 28, 2014
The BLACKCAPS pay tribute to Phil Hughes ahead of day two of the Test #putoutyourbats #pakvnz ^CE pic.twitter.com/s0l58YlTGh
- BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) November 28, 2014
Pakistan with their tribute to #PhilHughes at Sharjah #PakvNZ #putoutyourbats pic.twitter.com/ObhRJzbVms
- Hemant Buch (@hemantbuch) November 28, 2014
We pay our tributes to Phil Hughes. Honoured to have hosted the Champion in India #putoutyourbat #CricketFamily pic.twitter.com/a2Qpd42BkP
- BCCI (@BCCI) November 28, 2014
RIP Phil Hughes.#cricketfamily #putoutyourbats #63notout http://t.co/qJCmF0MVbu
- Faf Du Plessis (@faf1307) November 28, 2014
Phil Hughes, you will always be remembered. #PutOurYourBats #PutOutYourSticks #IndianMensHockeyTeam pic.twitter.com/ryOxjA15pt
- Rupinderpal Singh (@rupinderbob3) November 28, 2014
From the Gilly kids xxx #PutOutYourBats #RIPPhillipHughes pic.twitter.com/aeheTLw5dI
- Adam Gilchrist (@gilly381) November 27, 2014
#PutOutYourBats #PhillipHughes408 #63NotOut #RIP pic.twitter.com/OgCYc9JkhK
- Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) November 28, 2014
From the #AusOpen family to the @CricketAus family and the family of Phillip Hughes... RIP. #PutOutYourBats pic.twitter.com/DzODDRZ3wE
- Australian Open (@AustralianOpen) November 28, 2014
RIP Phil Hughes #PutOutYourBat #CricketFamily pic.twitter.com/VxFU7M6ECH
- ajinkyarahane88 (@ajinkyarahane88) November 28, 2014
#RIPPhilHughes #63notout #PutOutYourBat pic.twitter.com/6j7TmipcYr
- Stuart Broad (@StuartBroad8) November 28, 2014
#RIPPhilHughes #408 #63notout #PutOutYourBat pic.twitter.com/im6ZBG6Irq
- Matt Prior (@MattPrior13) November 28, 2014
#PutOutYourBat literally is your bat, Phillip. I flogged it from your car and you didn't care. #PH408 #bras pic.twitter.com/dKOBbbSkZm
- Kane Richardson (@KWRichardson23) November 28, 2014
The dream begins with a bat, ball and a stocking from a tree. @CricketAus #RIPHughesy #putoutyourbats pic.twitter.com/60xmPqdwb3
- Michael Kasprowicz (@kaspa369) November 28, 2014
PH 408! #putoutyourbats #missyoumate #loveyamate #63notout pic.twitter.com/VJvtW55cjN
- Nathan Lyon (@NathLyon421) November 28, 2014
#putoutyourbats missing the little fella. #408forever pic.twitter.com/elDAKzFZ89
- Steve Smith (@stevesmith49) November 28, 2014