India-Born Ireland Cricketer Battles Acute Liver Failure, Awaits Transplant
India-born Irish cricketer Simranjit Singh, known as Simi Singh, is battling for his life in the ICU of Medanta Hospital in Gurugram, India. The 37-year-old all-rounder is suffering from acute liver failure and is awaiting a liver transplant.
Singh’s journey to Ireland began in 2005 when he left his hometown of Mohali, Punjab, to pursue hotel management. However, his passion for cricket followed him, and he joined Malahide Cricket Club in Dublin as a professional in 2006.
Singh’s health issues began around five months ago in Dublin, with a persistent fever that baffled medical professionals. After inconclusive check-ups, he returned to India in late June for further treatment.
Initial consultations and treatment at PGI, Chandigarh, focused on tuberculosis, but tests later ruled out the disease. As Singh’s condition worsened, he was transferred to a private hospital in Mohali, where he was diagnosed with acute liver failure.
On September 3, Singh was admitted to Medanta Hospital in Gurugram, where he is currently waiting for a liver transplant. His wife, Agamdeep Kaur, has agreed to donate a part of her liver.
Singh’s blood group, AB+, makes him a universal receiver, increasing the chances of a successful transplant. Doctors are optimistic about the outcome and believe it will give Singh a new lease of life.
Singh has been a key player for Ireland since his debut in 2017. He has represented the country in 35 One-Day Internationals and 53 T20 Internationals, taking 39 ODI wickets and 44 T20I wickets. He also holds the distinction of scoring an ODI century against South Africa in 2019.
In 2020, Singh became one of the first 19 players to receive a central contract from Cricket Ireland, marking a significant milestone in the development of Irish cricket.