The quiet boy who left too early

Debasis Sen

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Kolkata, April 21

The cricketing fraternity in West Bengal was in a state of deep mourning on Tuesday, even after almost 48 hours had passed since the death of promising cricketer Ankit Keshri. The Keshri family in the Bansdroni area of south Kolkata was numb with shock after losing its young and talented member. Ankit died yesterday in hospital after being hurt during a match between East Bengal and Bhawanipore Club on April 17.
As you walk into the two-storeyed building of the Keshris, your attention is drawn by the sight of Ankit’s bats, along with the many trophies he won in his career that was cut short by his tragic death. A disconsolate Raj Kumar Keshri, Ankit’s father, said that medical negligence had caused the death of his young son.
“He did not receive proper treatment, but who can I blame now?” he said, even as the wailing womenfolk of the family struggled to overcome the grief.
Keshri, who runs a small cigarette shop in the Paddapukur region of the city, said he wanted his son to excel in cricket and didn’t let his meagre earnings come in the way of his son’s development as a cricketer.
He said the 20-year-old Ankit, a very quiet young man liked by all, used to idolise Rahul Dravid.
Ankit had captained the Bengal U-19 team in the 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 the Bengal A (U-23 side) in the CK Nayudu National Championship.
Regarded by many in Bengal as one of the most talented batsmen, along with Abhimanyu Iswaran, Ankit came into the limelight when he was picked alongside Amir Goni as a probable for the U-19 World Cup. Although the Keshris are from Bihar, Ankit was born and brought up here in Kolkata. Ankit was initially coached by Arijit Majumder at Bulan Cricket Academy.
Majumder says that when Ankit was a little boy, he frequently visited the academy, even if he didn’t have practice sessions. “He had a God-gifted temperament and was more equipped to play the longer format,” Majumder said. The bowlers in the academy had a real tough time at the nets trying to get him out.
Before being selected for the Bengal U-19 squad, Ankit was playing for the Shyambazar Club. After playing for Shyambazar for a season, he switched to Aikya Sammilani before landing up a contract with city giants East Bengal.
Former Bengal cricketer Jaideep Mukherjee, who was Ankit’s coach in the U-23 Bengal team, said he could have easily walked into the Ranji Trophy squad at present, given the vulnerability that Bengal have had over the years at the top of the order.
Ankit was in hospital for three days and was showing signs of recovery until Sunday evening, when he was given oral food. However, in the early hours of Monday morning, he suffered a massive cardiac arrest and was put on ventilator before he was declared dead.
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 the fateful match. He came to replace Railways Ranji all-rounder Arnab Nandi, who had taken a break. The incident happened at the JU Campus ground during a limited-overs match between East Bengal and Bhowanipore Club.
The tragedy was followed by allegations and counter-allegations. Ankit’s father Raj Kumar Keshri alleged that his son was shifted to a nursing home in central Kolkata due to the instructions given by a CAB official. Later, the CAB officials refuted the allegations, blaming the management of the first hospital.