Sunday, April 12, brought heartbreak to music fans across the globe with the passing of legendary playback singer Asha Bhosle at the age of 92. Her son, Anand Bhosle, confirmed the news, and within moments tributes began flowing from across the world of entertainment and sport. Among those who reacted were Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli, while both IPL franchises Mumbai Indians and defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) also marked the moment of mourning during their marquee IPL 2026 clash at Wankhede Stadium.
As Mumbai and Bengaluru arrived for the toss, the tribute was immediately visible. Hardik Pandya and RCB skipper Rajat Patidar were seen wearing black armbands as they stepped out. The gesture continued once the match got underway, with every player spotted donning the black armbands on their jerseys throughout the game.
Before the first ball of the IPL 2026 encounter, the stadium observed a minute of silence to honour Asha Bhosle’s memory, setting a sombre tone for the contest.
Match and team news
- Mumbai Indians won the toss and chose to bowl first.
- Mumbai made two changes to their playing XI for the match.
- RCB replaced Josh Hazlewood with Jacob Duffy in their XI.
Both Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli also paid moving tributes to the late singer in their own ways. Tendulkar posted on X (formerly Twitter), describing her death as a “sad day” for music lovers everywhere. He wrote that Asha Bhosle felt like family to him, adding that words could not fully express the loss. Tendulkar also reflected on how her music carried on beyond the grief, stating that her melodies would continue to resonate.
Kohli, meanwhile, shared a picture of Asha Bhosle via Instagram Stories. In his message, he said her voice “touched millions” across the world and that it would live on in the hearts of fans. He ended with “Om Shanti” in his tribute.
Asha Bhosle’s standing in global music is widely regarded as unmatched, with her influence across Hindi film music often compared to that of her elder sister Lata Mangeshkar. Her legacy, spanning decades, continues to be celebrated by generations of listeners.
Meanwhile, Anand Bhosle has confirmed that Asha Bhosle’s final rites will be held on Monday, April 13.
