Prime Minister Narendra Modi pays tribute to Phillip Hughes

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today joined the cricket world in mourning the death of young Australian batsman Phillip Hughes, who lost his life after being hit by a bouncer.

"Heart-rending funeral in Australia. Phil Hughes, we will miss you. Your game & exuberance won you fans all over! RIP," Modi tweeted as thousands gathered in Hughes' home town of Macksville to bid farewell to the batsman.

Heart-rending funeral in Australia. Phil Hughes, we will miss you. Your game & exuberance won you fans all over! RIP.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 3, 2014

Hughes died last week after being hit on the head by a bouncer during a domestic game. Had he survived, Hughes would have turned 26 last Sunday.

The India-Australia Test series schedule was reworked following the tragedy to allow the home side's players some time to grieve the loss of their teammate.