30 January,2017 08:14 AM IST | | Subodh Mayure and Anurag Kamble
Rajesh Sawant (45), the India under-19 cricket team's strength and conditioning trainer, was found dead in his hotel room yesterday morning
Rajesh Sawant (45), the India under-19 cricket team's strength and conditioning trainer, was found dead in his hotel room yesterday morning.
Sawant was supposed to board the team bus for a practice session at Wankhede Stadium at 9 am, but he didn't turn up. The Rahul Dravid-coached team headed for the ground and began training. When he did not turn up at the ground on his own, a support staff member asked a colleague of his to call Sawant. When the trainer, a former fast bowler, didn't respond to calls on his cell, the support staff member dialed the hotel reception to get connected to Sawant's room. Things got tense when Sawant did not respond to calls from the reception.
Found unconscious
When the room was opened by the hotel staff through a master key, Sawant was found lying unconscious in his bed. He was taken to Bombay Hospital for treatment, but doctors declared him dead on arrival, according to a police officer.
At the Wankhede Stadium, curator Ramesh Mamunkar went up to Dravid to inform him about Sawant's death, but the former India captain had already heard the news and called off a scheduled press conference in the build-up to today's India vs England under-19 one-day international. According to preliminary investigations, Sawant suffered a massive heart attack and succumbed to his death in his sleep. Marine Drive Police registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR) and sent the body for a post-mortem.
After all, it was not acidity
Sources said Sawant complained of chest pain all through Saturday. "He told a colleague that he was experiencing pain, but thought it must be because of acidity. Sawant is survived by his wife, who is a constable in Mumbai Police and a daughter.
Sawant represented Mumbai University and was coached by Hemu Dalvi at Jhunjunwalla College. He was part of the Bombay Cricket Association-Mafatlal Fast Bowling Scheme under the guidance of Frank Tyson, the former England fast bowling great. He first played 'A' division club cricket for Sunder CC where he bowled alongside present India U-19 bowling coach Paras Mhambrey.
Sawant was with the under-19 team at Wankhede during a practice match on Saturday and worked with the players.
