The victim identified as Manish, a class seven student, was playing cricket with his friends at the corner of a crossing near his house last evening, police spokesperson said.
While trying to catch a ball, he lost balance and fell into the uncovered manhole, the spokesperson said.
When his friends raised an alarm, passers-by immediately informed the police and fire brigade, who reached the spot and pulled him out and rushed him to a hospital.
The boy was declared brought dead, police said.