Former India-based Ireland cricketer faces severe health battle with life-threatening illness

The Irish Cricket Board on September 5 confirmed that allrounder Simi Singh is facing a life-threatening illness. Singh, aged 37, has represented Ireland in 35 ODIs and 53 T20Is, contributing as a spin bowler and lower-middle-order batsman. His last appearance for Ireland was at the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia, and his most recent competitive cricket match was a year ago, playing for Leinster Lightning in the Inter-Pro List A tournament.

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Simi Singh diagnosed with life-threatening illness

"We have received shocking news that our friend Simi Singh is currently dealing with life-threatening health circumstances. On behalf of Cricket Ireland, and indeed the wider Irish cricket community, I would like to extend our best wishes and prayers to Simi as he takes on this new fight," a statement signed by Cricket Ireland CEO Warren Deutrom read.

 

"After moving to Ireland, Simi has become a central figure within Irish cricket - whether at international, provincial or club level - he has shown a desire and drive to succeed. We now hope that this same drive will see him come through the current circumstances," he added.

 

Following a period of ill health in Ireland, Singh returned to his native India for medical treatment earlier this summer. According to The Times of India, Singh is currently undergoing treatment at Medanta Hospital in Gurgaon and is awaiting a liver transplant. His wife, Agamdeep, has generously offered to donate part of her liver.

 

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"The transplant is likely to be performed very soon, and the doctors are positive that the outcome will be in Simi's favour and will give him a new lease of life," the cricketer's father-in-law Parvinder Singh told the Times of India.

 

Simi Singh's career in numbers

 

Singh's ODI bowling record is impressive, with 39 wickets at an average of 25.92 and an economy of just 3.99. In T20Is, he has claimed 44 wickets at an average of 27.84 and an economy of 7.61. The year 2021 was particularly noteworthy for Singh in ODI cricket. He took 19 wickets at an average of 20.15 and achieved his highest ODI score of 100 not out off 91 balls in a challenging chase against South Africa, although Ireland ultimately fell short by 70 runs.

 

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