West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today condoled the death of young cricketer Ankit Keshri, regretting that his life had ended before it could begin.
"I am devastated and at a loss of words to express condolence to such a youngster. I don't know whether it will be right to offer condolence on such a young cricketer. I just came to see him," an emotional-looking Mamata said at the East Bengal tent where his body was brought for the last journey.
She opted not to offer flowers on the young cricketer's body and instead spent about 10 minutes quietly at the tent.
She later called on Ankit's father and his elder brother at the club tent and offered her condolence to the family.
Earlier briefing Mamata about the death of the 20-year-old, state Sports Minister Arup Biswas said: "He was not even in the team. It happened in a matter of four balls as he had come in for replacement for Arnab Nandi who had taken a short break."
Bengal selector Arup Bhattacharya told Mamata that Ankit, a right hand opening batsman, was very promising. "He was in the U-19 World Cup probables (in 2013). Recently, he had scored a double century."
Keshri died of cardiac arrest early this morning owing to an injury suffered during a Cricket Association of Bengal's Senior one-day knock-out match on April 17 between local giants East Bengal and Bhowanipore club at the JU second campus ground in Saltlake.
A talented right-hander, Keshri 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.
