Will do whatever we can for Ankit Keshri's family: Gambhir

New Delhi: Kolkata Knight Riders captain Gautam Gambhir has said that his IPL franchise will go all out to support late Ankit Keshri's family after the young Bengal player passed away post a freak on-field collision.

Barely five months after the Phillip Hughes tragedy, the cricket world is once again mourning the loss of yet another young player. The 20-year-old Keshri breathed his last after suffering a cardiac arrest post an injury sustained during a Cricket Association of Bengal's Senior one-day knock-out match on April 17.

Gautam Gambhir

"The boy is not there with us and it is very disturbing. You can't replace what the family has lost. But I can assure
you one thing that we (KKR) would go out there and do whatever we can for the family.

"We would always be there and hopefully we could contribute as much as we could. We will do anything possible for them," said Gambhir after the defending champions' six-wicket win over Delhi Daredevils.

Also read: 20-year-old Bengal cricketer Ankit Keshri dies after on-field collision

The 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 national Championship.

In what can be considered a cruel twist of fate, Keshri was not a part of the playing XI and was the 12th man of the side in that fateful match. He came to replace Railways Ranji all-rounder Arnab Nandi, who had taken a break.

The incident happened at the Salt Lake ground during a one-day match between local giants East Bengal and Bhowanipore club.

Also read: Cricket and B-Town celebs mourn Bengal cricketer's untimely death