Updated August 9th, 2022 at 19:32 IST
Sehwag, Harbhajan, Yuvraj Singh pay tribute to late Rudi Koertzen; 'He used to scold me'
On hearing about the sad demise of Rudi Koertzen, Sehwag took to social media to pay tribute to the former umpire, with whom he said he had a good relationship.
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Former South African umpire Rudi Koertzen reportedly passed away in a car crash on Tuesday.According to reports, 73-year-old Rudi Koertzen and three others died in a head-on collision in Riversdale on Tuesday. His son, Rudi Koertzen Jnr, told Algoa FM News that his father passed away immediately after the impact. He then went on to explain that his father and some of his friends had gone to play a golf tournament. "He went on a golf tournament with some of his friends, and they were expected to come back on Monday, but it seems they decided to play another round of golf," said Koertzen Jnr.
Sehwag, Harbhajan pays tribute to Rudi Koertzen
Several cricketers including Virender Sehwag, Harbhajan Singh, Yuvraj Singh and Kumar Sangakkara took to social media to pay tributes to the iconic cricket umpire.
Vale Rudi Koertzen ! Om Shanti. Condolences to his family.
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag)
Had a great relation with him. Whenever I used to play a rash shot, he used to scold me saying, “Play sensibly, I want to watch your batting”.
One he wanted to buy a particular brand of cricket pads for his son (cont) pic.twitter.com/CSxtjGmKE9
And enquired about it from me. I gifted him and he was so grateful . A gentleman and a very wonderful person. Will miss you Rudi. Om Shanti pic.twitter.com/gdSHGOoYg8
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag)
RIP Rudi💔 .. Sad day for all of us.. you were a brilliant umpire .. Condolence to family and friends .. you will be missed 🙏 pic.twitter.com/VfAPXRghSp
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh)
R. I. P Rudi Koertzen.
— BCCI (@BCCI)
The BCCI mourns the loss of one of the finest umpires to have officiated the game of cricket. pic.twitter.com/44Ztdhiioe
Tragic news of the sudden passing away of Rudi Koertzen. He was a gifted individual and one of the finest umpires the game has witnessed, known for his sharp decision making abilities.
— Yuvraj Singh (@YUVSTRONG12)
My deepest condolences to his family and well wishers 🙏🏻 #RudiKoertzen pic.twitter.com/9mV1V09F7a
Really sad to hear about the passing away of former umpire Rudi Koertzen. He was one of the sharpest and finest umpires that we've seen. My deepest condolences to his family. RIP Rudi. pic.twitter.com/vxfZ3z4BcH
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281)
Saddened at the tragic loss of Rudi Koertzen. What a wonderful friend and umpire. Honest, forthright and loved the game. Shared many a beer at the bar talking cricket with him. RIP my friend.
— Kumar Sangakkara (@KumarSanga2)
According to reports, South African players will wear black armbands in honour of Rudi Koertzen, who has passed away.
Cricket umpire Rudi Koertzen passes away
Koertzen is survived by his wife and four children. One of the most respected umpires in world cricket from the late 1990s till 2010, Koertzen had officiated in nearly 400 international games.
Koertzen was inducted into the ICC's Elite Panel in 2002 and was a part of it for eight years.
During his tenure, he officiated as on-field and TV umpire in as many as 397 games, including 128 Test matches, a record 250 ODIs, and 19 T20 Internationals.
He had his share of controversies too, including continuing with the 2007 ODI World Cup final between Sri Lanka and Australia in near darkness due to a wrong interpretation of rule, which forced the ICC to not give him any assignment during the inaugural World T20, which was held in his own country, in 2007.
(with PTI inputs)
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Published August 9th, 2022 at 17:01 IST