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29 March 2024

Young Indian cricketer dies after fielding collision

Published
By Agencies

A promising young Indian cricketer died on Monday after an on-field collision with a team mate during a club match in the eastern city of Kolkata, his coach said.

Ankit Keshri, 20, was rushed to hospital with a head injury following the incident on Friday, but suffered a heart attack late on Sunday and died a few hours later, the coach said.

Four months after Australia cricketer Phillip Hughes died after being hit by a bouncer, Ankit Keshri, a former captain for his state's under-19 team, battled for three days before passing away at a Kolkata hospital.

Keshri, who had played for the Bengal under-19 side last year, came on as a substitute fielder when he crashed into the team mate as both players attempted to take a high catch.

"It's so unfortunate. He was such a promising cricketer and for him to pass away in such a manner is difficult to swallow," Subir Ganguly, the joint secretary of the state's cricket association, told Reuters.

"To see a young life lost due to a freakish accident is absolutely tragic," coach Jaideep Mukherjee told reporters in Kolkata.

Mamata Banerjee, the chief minister of West Bengal state of which Kolkata is the capital, expressed her condolences at the tragedy.

"Saddened, shocked with the news of young cricketer Ankit's death as a result of an on-field accident. My condolences and prayers. RIP," Banerjee said on Twitter.

Pics credet: Bengal Ranji Team

Keshri, a right-handed batsman and leg-spinner, came on as a substitute fielder for his club and collided with a team mate as both players went for a high catch.

He briefly lost consciousness but was resuscitated by a team mate, following which, he was rushed to hospital.

According to doctors, Keshri's condition was stable but he suffered a cardiac arrest around midnight on Sunday and died early on Monday morning, officials of the state association said.

In November, Hughes passed away at the age of 25, two days after he was struck in the neck by a bouncer with the incident sparking a massive outpouring of grief across the world.