Teammate Sourav Mondal who collided with Ankit Keshri is ‘inconsolable’

Mumbai: While the cricket fraternity is still in mourning following the death of Ankit Keshri in a freak on-field accident, support is coming in for Sourav Mondal who collided with Keshri on the field.

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.

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

According to a report in ‘The Indian Express,’ Mondal and late Keshri’s teammates have promised to rally behind Mondal. Senior East Bengal spinner Shiv Sagar Singh told the newspaper, “We would rally behind him. Bengal cricket stands by him. We must help him recover. Ultimately, it’s up to Sourav to cope with it. He would be haunted by the incident,”

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Singh, who was reportedly the closest to the spot of collision, conceded that it would not be easy to bring Sourav back to game. According to him, Sourav was ‘inconsolable’ after he came to know about Ankit’s death. The East Bengal cricketers and team management have asked Sourav not to speak with the media and switch-off his cellphone.

The Mondal family is worried about Sourav who is soon to get married. The report quoted Sourav’s father saying, “Sourav has stopped taking meals. He’s soon to be married and this is a huge blow to him. We are very worried.”

*The story was first published in 'The Indian Express'.