Roughriders to Honor Bhishma Rajyaguru Before Thursday Game
Saskatchewan Roughriders will hold a pre‑match ceremony on Thursday night to remember Bhishma Rajyaguru, a 22‑year‑old Regina resident who died in a weekend crash.
How the Tragedy Unfolded
Rajyaguru was killed Saturday evening when the car he was driving collided with an SUV driven by Roughriders linebacker and team captain Jayden Dalke on Highway 11 near Lumsden, northwest of Regina.
RCMP said Dalke, 30, of Leduc, Alberta, was traveling on the wrong side of the highway while under the influence of alcohol and cannabis. His vehicle left a gas station with unpaid fuel moments before the impact, and there were no passengers in either vehicle.
Investigation Underway
Authorities indicated that autopsies and toxicology tests will be conducted as part of the ongoing investigation.
Dalke’s Career and Tribute
Dalke, a 6‑foot‑1, 200‑pound linebacker drafted in the sixth round of the 2022 CFL Draft from the University of Alberta, has appeared in 68 regular‑season games, recording 69 tackles, 31 special‑teams tackles, three forced fumbles, one interception and one sack.
He played every regular‑season game for Saskatchewan in 2025 and contributed to the club’s West Final and Gray Cup victory over the Montreal Alouettes in November.
Riders general manager Jeremy O’Day announced that players will wear Dalke’s initials on their helmets during Thursday’s game, and the team is planning its own tribute to Dalke as well.
Community Response and Fundraising
An online GoFundMe campaign for Rajyaguru has raised roughly $80,000, enough to cover the cost of repatriating his body to India.
Tonish Patel, a close friend, said the funds will also assist Rajyaguru’s parents in India as they cope with the loss, noting that the young man arrived in Canada in 2022 as an international student from Gujarat.
Patel described his friend as a talented musician, a polite, hard‑working individual who enjoyed cricket and left a lasting impression on everyone who knew him.
Provincial and Personal Condolences
Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe expressed his sorrow on social media, stating that the province mourns the loss of a young life taken far too soon and extending deepest condolences to the family and loved ones.
Riders have said they are working closely with Rajyaguru’s family to determine the best way to support them during this difficult time.
