Parthiv Patel is having to focus over the task at the hand for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League, while his father remains hospitalised in his hometown Ahmedabad after a brain haemorrhage. The veteran keeper batsman considered skipping a few matches, but his family said that his father would've definitely preferred seeing his son play cricket rather than sit worrying at home. 

Parthiv has been in constant touch with his family. He keeps a regular check on his father's health via mobile calls before and after match days. 

"I just hope and pray that there is no bad news from the doctors," Parthiv told The Indian Express. 

In February, before the IPL kickstarted, Parthiv shared his father’s medical condition on Twitter and posted, "Pls keep my father in ur prayers. He is suffering from brain haemorrhage."

But unfortunately, two months since then, his father Ajay’s condition hasn’t got better. He is still in ICU and keeps slipping in and out of coma.

Royal Challengers Bangalore franchise has provided invaluable support to Parthiv in these times. He has been allowed to travel back home after every match. On occasions, Parthiv has played a game, then boarded a flight for Ahmedabad and yet rejoined the team the next day. 

"When I am playing, nothing crosses my mind, but once a game is over, my heart is at home," he said. "The day begins with asking about my father’s progress, keeping in touch with doctors, sometimes I have to take some important decisions. My wife and mother are at home but when it comes to taking any final decision, my approval is sought. The initial phase was critical – should we switch off the ventilator for a few days, or how much oxygen should be given. Such decisions are very tough to take."

"I remember the day he suddenly fell down," Parthiv recalled, "The next 12 days, I was there in ICU, I didn’t even go home for 10 days. The Mushtaq Ali tournament was happening then and I missed a lot of games. We don’t have mobile phones when we are playing. Once I’m involved in the match, any thought of home doesn’t cross my mind but once the game is over and I’m back in the dressing room, I am constantly thinking about my father."

"On match days, there have been several times when my family has taken decisions and let me know only after the game. They don’t want to distract me. It takes a mental toll but what can one do? Honestly, there were some negative thoughts before but now the family is prepared for the struggle we are going through," he concluded.