Ankit Keshri suffers cardiac arrest in hospital following tragic accident in Kolkata
Bengal cricketer dies after on-field collision
Former Under-19 Bengal cricketer Ankit Keshri has passed away following a tragic on-field accident in Kolkata last Friday.
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 life as the result of cardiac arrest in the early hours of Monday morning.
Sad news of a young promising cricketer Ankit losing his life on field of play. May God give strength to loved ones to bear this loss!
— Anil Kumble (@anilkumble1074) April 20, 2015
The former captain of the Bengal Under-19s team, who was 20, was fielding as a substitute at the time.
May God give strength to Ankit's family and friends to cope with this loss #RIP
— sachin tendulkar (@sachin_rt) April 20, 2015
According to local media, teammate Shivsagar Singh witnessed Keshri being struck in the head and neck region by the knee of Mondal, who was actually bowling the over, as each player raced to take the catch in the 44th over of the match between East Bengal and Bhawanipore at Jadavpur University Campus ground.
The same player saw the aftermath of the incident in which Keshri lay unmoved on his back, and set about giving CPR to his younger teammate.
"Fielding at sweeper cover, Keshri rushed to take the high catch as left-arm pacer Sourav Mondal too ran on his follow through. It was as freak an accident as possible," Bengal A coach Jaideep Mukherjee told the Times of India.
"There was no external injury but Keshri fainted as fellow mates Anustup Majumder and Shivsagar Singh resuscitated him. He gained some consciousness and was rushed to nearby AMRI. From there he was admitted to Nightingale Hospital."
Keshri’s condition was reportedly stable on Sunday, but in the early hours of Monday morning he suffered a heart attack.
He was put on a ventilator but never recovered.
"I am feeling devastated and I don't know what his parents must be going through,” said Cricket Association of Bengal joint secretary Subir Ganguly.
“His body will be brought to East Bengal tent before being taken for last rites.”
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.