Man dies after collision during attempt to take catch in Rajasthan cricket game

A cricketer representing a village team near Chittorgarh in Rajasthan, tragically passed away after sustaining multiple head injuries during a local match. A resident of Chanderia village, 26-year-old Bhanu Joshi, lost his life while trying to take a catch for his team. The match was being held at Hokampura between the local teams of Chanderia and Chittorgarh. Details of the freak accident have since emerged. Bhanu is believed to be an avid cricket fan and was a good batsman as his teammates have since revealed.

At the time of the accident, Bhanu was fielding at mid-on when he ran in an attempt to catch the ball. Two other players from his team attempted to do the same and the resulting collision killed Bhanu.

Eye-witnesses reported that Bhanu fell to the ground and, almost immediately, started bleeding profusely. Quite some time elapsed before he could be given proper medical attention. The injured player was rushed to the government hospital in Chittorgarh where he finally succumbed to his injuries. He had suffered from massive trauma, internal bleeding, multiple head injuries and fractures.

This incident is undoubtedly a tragedy. Lack of safety measures is as big a concern at the grass root level of the sport as it is at the highest level. In November 2014, Australian Phil Hughes died after being hit on the head with a cricket ball.

Such accidents are not, however, restricted only to cricket. In October 2014, 23-year-old footballer Peter Biaksangzuala lost his life on a live telecast match in the Mizoram Premier League. The nature of these incidents is such that nobody can really be blamed for them. One just needs to exercise a certain amount of caution during a game.

Bhanu's villagers have extended sympathy to the bereaved family. As facts have emerged, it has been revealed that Bhanu recently got married two months ago in addition to getting a job with a private company.

The sister of the deceased, Pooja Sharma, has since spoken to TOI over the incident. “He used to play cricket every Sunday,” she said. “He had done a diploma in mechanical engineering from a polytechnic college in Chittorgarh.”

The 20-overs-a-side match that Bhanu was participating in was suspended after the player was taken to the hospital.