One of India's greatest athletes, Milkha Singh passed away on Friday (June 18) due to Covid-related complications. India cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar paid tribute to Singh, who is popularly known as 'the Flying Sikh'.

Gavaskar was devasted by the demise of Singh and he called him one of India's greatest sporting legends. The ex-India cricketer was looking forward to Singh completing a century but he passed away at the age of 91. 

"It's really sad news, very very sad news. One of India's greatest sporting legends and he is no more. I know he was in his 90s, with his fitness, I thought he was going to complete a century. I was really looking forward to him completing a century," Gavaskar was quoted as saying by India Today.

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Singh was admitted to a private hospital in Chandigarh after he contracted COVID-19 on May 19. His wife, Nirmal Kaur, a former volleyball captain, also died with Coronavirus five days back, aged 85.

"But perhaps because his beloved wife passed away only a few days ago, he decided to join her in the heavens. It's really a very sad day," he added.

The 71-year-old recalled his memories with India's beloved athlete and said Singh, being humble, would hardly ever speak about his own achievements.

"I have had some very good moments with him. He has always been very supportive. Every time when I have come to Chandigarh and we have had the opportunity, he was very encouraging, very humble, very polite.

"He hardly ever spoke about his own achievements, he spoke about your achievements. It's a very very sad day for Indian sport. And my condolences to Jeev and the family. May Milkha ji's soul rest in eternal peace," he added.

Singh won five golds in international athletic championships and was awarded the Helms World Trophy in 1959 for winning 77 of his 80 international races. He also won India's first Commonwealth gold in 1958. He had finished fourth in the 400m final at the 1960 Rome Olympics.

In 2013, his story was turned into the Bollywood film 'Bhaag Milkha Bhaag'.

(Inputs from India Today)