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

Indian cricket legends Sachin Tendulkar and Anil Kumble along with Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan has expressed grief over the death of 20-year-old Bengal cricketer Ankit Keshri, who died from an on-field injury.

ALSO READ: 20-year-old Bengal cricketer Ankit Keshri dies after on-field collision

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.

"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, who was present at the ground, told PTI.

After colliding with Mondal, blood spurted out of his mouth as he fell unconscious. Former Bengal spinner Shivsagar Singh and batsman Anustup Majumdar rushed to attend him. Shiv Sagar, in fact, tried the mouth to mouth resuscitation by giving him CPR (Cardiac Pulmonary Resuscitation) after which he started breathing again. He was then taken to the Nightingale nursing home.

"There was no external injury but Keshri fainted as fellow mates Anustup Majumder and Shiv Sagar Singh resuscitated him. He gained some consciousness and was rushed to nearby AMRI. From there he was admitted to Nightingale Hospital," Mukherjee further added.

"Saddened by the demise of Ankit Kesri. A promising career aborted by an unfortunate incident on field. May God give strength to Ankit's family and friends to cope with this loss #RIP," Tendulkar wrote on his social networking page Twitter.

Anil Kumble and Sachin Tendulkar. File Pic/AFP

Keshri sustained a head injury in an on-field collision during a local game and died in a private city nursing home on Monday.

Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) treasurer Biswarup Dey said the 20-year-old promising East Bengal player was injured on Friday in a collision with another fielder while taking a catch during a senior knockout match against Bhowanipore.

Kumble also tweeted his grief at the death.

"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!," he wrote.

Keshri was given mouth-to-mouth resuscitation by another cricketer, S.S. Singh, and then examined by a doctor before being rushed to a private hospital in an ambulance stationed at the Jadavpur University stadium.

The opening batsman, who was also a member of the Under-23 Bengal squad this year, passed away this morning following a massive heart attack, a CAB official said.

BCCI also mourned his passing by tweeting: "RIP Ankit Keshri. Young cricketer passes away because of cardiac arrest following on-field injury."

Personalities like Jacques Kallis, Rohit Sharma, Harbhajan Singh, Aakash Chopra, Ajinkya Rahane, and others also expressed their grief.

Rohit Sharma tweeted: "Just heard about the tragic incident with Ankit Keshri. RIP young one. Heart goes out to his family."

Delhi Daredevils: "RIP Ankit Keshri. Cricket has lost a wonderful young talent. Our condolences to the family, his team mates & all near & dear"

Jacques Kallis: "Sad to learn of the passing of Ankit Keshri. Unfortunate injury on cricket field. Thoughts and prayers to family and friends"

Harbhajan Singh: "Life teaches u just how unpredictable it is. Saddened 2hear of a young loss in cricket.An upcoming cricketer Ankit Keshri! Gone 2soon!RIP"

Aakash Chopra: "Heart goes out to young Ankit Keshri's family...who knew that the game you loved the most will take away your life too. Unfortunate. RIP."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi: In Ankit Keshri, we lost an enthusiastic youngster & a passionate cricketer. An untimely, unfortunate demise. RIP"

ALSO READ: Fatal on-field injuries suffered by cricketers

SRK mourns Ankit's demise
Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan has expressed grief over Ankit's death.

"Too young to go...extremely unfortunate & sad. Condolences & prayers for Ankit Keshri & his family. May Allah bless his soul. R.I.P," SRK, who is West Bengal's brand ambassador and co-owner of Indian Premier League team Kolkata Knight Riders, wrote on Twitter on Monday.

Shah Rukh Khan - Bollywood superstar and co-owner of IPL team KKR

The former Bengal Under-19 cricket captain, Ankit sustained a head injury in an on-field collision during a local game in Kolkata on Friday during a senior knockout match against Bhowanipore.

The opening batsman, who was also a member of the Under-23 Bengal squad this year, passed away following a massive heart attack on Monday.