Ankit Keshri's family to receive insurance money from BCCI

Ankit Keshri died after an on-field collision with his team mate during a Club tournament

The family of Ankit Keshri, who died after an on-field collision with a teammate during the Cricket Association of Bengal tournament against Bhowanipore Cricket Club is all set to get compensation from the BCCI under its insurance policy. BCCI has sent the cheque to the CAB, reports ESPNcricinfo.

Ankit who was 20, was brought on as a substitute fielder on that fateful day, he collided with his team-mate Sourabh Mondal while attempting a catch and was rushed to the nearest hospital after he stopped breathing briefly. Though his condition improved, he eventually died of a cardiac arrest on the 20th of April.

The BCCI's general manager of game development, Ratnakar Shetty, said that the cheque has been cleared by the insurance company and will soon reach the family.

"The insurance company has delivered the cheque to the BCCI office. It will now be mailed to the CAB, who will hand it over to the family of the deceased cricketer," Shetty said.

The family did not know about this development but when Ankit's father was contacted he said he had no idea about the insurance cover, "I had no idea. No one including CAB has told us so far. We are grateful to the BCCI."

During his meeting with the CAB officials, Ankit's father pleaded with them that the family should not be forced to ask for financial help. He also went on to say that the family had got Rs 10 lakh each from CAB and Kolkata Knight Riders, and Rs five lakh from East Bengal.

According to Ratnakar Shetty, BCCI provides accidental insurance cover for all the senior and junior cricketers on the domestic circuit. The state boards have to provide a list of 35 cricketers for each age group (Under-16, Under-19, Under-23 and Ranji Trophy) at the start of a season and the BCCI provides them with accidental insurance.

As Ankit was shortlisted by CAB as a promising player, the BCCI processed claims for the accidental insurance and followed it up till it was approved. "For an accidental death, like the unfortunate incident with Ankit, the maximum claim amount is Rs 25 lakh. For injuries during Ranji Trophy, a player can claim up to Rs 50,000 per week for a maximum of 52 weeks," Shetty added.

Subir Ganguly, the joint secretary of the CAB, said that the BCCI cheque had not arrived yet. "I also heard it from the BCCI on the group insurance. We are expecting the cheque in the next few days," Ganguly said.