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Kolkata, In another tragic on-field incident after Phillip Hughes’ death last November, a promising Bengal batsman Ankit Keshri today passed away owing to an injury sustained during a Cricket Association of Bengal’s Senior One-day knockout match on April 17.
Keshri was in hospital for the past three days and was showing signs of recovery till last evening when he was given oral food. However, in the early hours of this morning, Keshri suffered a massive cardiac arrest and was put on ventilator before he was declared dead.
The 20-year-old, a talented right-hander, had captained the Bengal U-19 team in Cooch Behar Trophy and was in the 30-member India U-19 probables list for the 2014 Colts World Cup in the United Arab Emirates. He was also playing for Bengal A (U-23 side) in CK Nayudu Trophy.
In what can be considered as a cruel twist of fate, Keshri was not even in the playing XI of the side — East Bengal — in the fateful match. He was the 12th man and came on to replace Railways Ranji all-rounder Arnab Nandi, who had taken a break.
The incident happened at the Salt Lake ground during East Bengal’s match against Bhowanipore Club. “Fielding at sweeper cover, Keshri rushed to take the high catch as pacer Sourav Mondal too ran on his follow through. It was as freak an accident as possible,” said Bengal A coach Jaideep Mukherjee, who was present at the ground.
After colliding with Mondal, blood spurted out of Keshri’s mouth as he fell unconscious. Former Bengal spinner Shivsagar Singh and batsman Anustup Majumdar rushed to attend him.
Sagar, in fact, tried mouth to mouth resuscitation after which Keshri started breathing again. He was then taken to the Nightingale Hospital.
“There was no external injury but Keshri fainted. Majumder and Sagar resuscitated him. He gained consciousness and was rushed to a nearby AMRI hospital. From there he was admitted to the Nightingale Hospital,” Mukherjee added.
“I am not in a position to speak. I am devastated and I don’t know what his parents must be going through. His body will be brought to East Bengal tent before being taken for last rites,” a distraught CAB joint secretary Subir Ganguly said.
In fact the veteran official returned from Kolkata airport even though he was supposed to reach Delhi in the afternoon for the IPL governing council meeting. “I am not in the frame of mind to attend any meeting,” he added.
Bengal captain Manoj Tiwary sounded equally devastated. “I did not want to get this news. A fine young talent who should have played Ranji Trophy in a year or two,” said Tiwary.
