Mandeep Singh of Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) has been going through a tough time. The right-handed batsman recently lost his father to long-term illness and had played a game a day after his demise as well. The KXIP players were seen wearing black armbands in the match against SRH on Oct 25.

He made 17 runs in the match which KXIP won by 12 runs defending 126, Mandeep made up for it against Kolkata Knight Riders and slammed an unbeaten 66 to guide his team to an 8-wicket win, with Chris Gayle also scoring a quick-fire half-century. The duo added over 100 runs for the second wicket as well.

After the game, Mandeep talked to Chris Gayle about his batting and revealed that his father always wanted him to be “not out” whenever he batted.

“My father used to tell me that 'you should remain not out in every game' and that is what I wanted to do today. Even before the game, I spoke to Rahul that 'let me play my game, even if I take a few balls, I can win games for the team'. I think my father would be really happy that I finished the game and I remained not out,” Mandeep said to Gayle during the conversation.

IPL 2020: WATCH - "My father will be happy that I finished the game", Mandeep tells Gayle

Not only the KXIP players lauded his spirit and courage to put the death of his father behind and play for his team, but even rival team Royal Challengers Bangalore’s captain Virat Kohli also praised Mandeep Singh.

Kohli, who has played with Mandeep Singh for RCB in the previous few seasons, called the Punjab batsman ‘lionhearted’ in an Instagram story and also said that he was the most genuinely happy character he knew.

Here is what Kohli posted for Mandeep Singh: