Ganguly gives pension to cricketer's family

Former India captain Sourav Ganguly has donated his pension to the family of young cricketer Ankit Keshri, who passed away following a tragic on-field accident in Kolkata last week.

Ganguly’s BCCI pension for the year – around AUD$8500 – will be given to the relatives of Keshri, a former Under-19 Bengal cricketer.

Ganguly, the current joint-secretary of the Cricket Association of Bengal, also phoned Keshri’s father Rajkumar to offer his condolences.

The former India captain also pledged his future BCCI pension towards assisting other injured players in the region.

"It's also my personal decision to fund the treatment of injured players, the ones that are CAB-registered,” Ganguly said.

“I will use the amount that I get as pension from the Board.”

Image Id: ~/media/BF3B8D29F33F452C983A826A42952487Sourav Ganguly // Getty Images

The CAB board will also donate AUD$20,100 to Keshri's family.

Keshri was involved in a collision with teammate Sourav Mondal as the pair attempted a catch, and was subsequently taken to hospital when his breathing stopped for a short period.

He ultimately lost his lifeas the result of cardiac arrest.

The former captain of the Bengal Under-19s team, who was 20, was fielding as a substitute at the time. 

Image Id: ~/media/CE4E36568C2C41F4A5DE78563DCBC6E8Image courtesy of official Facebook Page of Bengal Ranji team

Following Keshri’s death, there were accusations the medical facilities at the ground were inadequate.

Ganguly said steps would be taken to ensure the CAB was well-equipped to deal with future emergencies.

"The association will be buying three ambulances which will also have the necessary facilities," he said.

On Sunday, IPL team Kolkata Knight Riders included Keshri as the honorary 16th member of their side for their match against Rajasthan Royals at Eden Gardens.

Kolkata donated AUD$20,100 to the young player’s family and displayed a portrait of Keshri with a caption 'Ankit Forever' in the stadium.

"We're too happy to do so and it's an opportunity for KKR in a small way to remember Ankit and the premature end he faced," Kolkata Knight Riders chief executive Venky Mysore said.

The BCCI working committee also paid homage to Keshri on Sunday.

Keshri was a promising right-handed batsman who had been in the 30-member India U-19 probables list for the 2014 Colts World Cup in the United Arab Emirates, and was also playing for Bengal A (U-23 side) in the CK Nayudu National Championship.