Advertisement
Mumbai: In an unfortunate incident at Dadkar Ground in Mumbai, a 52-year-old man, Jayesh Sawala, died due to fatal injuries while participating in a senior T20 cricket tournament. The event, known as the Kutchhi Visa Oswal Vikas Legend Cup, was designed for players over the age of 50, with multiple matches being played simultaneously due to venue constraints.
Sawala, who was actively involved in the game, was fielding at deep midwicket when he was inadvertently hit by a ball from the adjacent pitch. His back was towards the other game, making him unaware of the impending danger. Although he was quickly taken to hospital, medical intervention proved inadequate and he was declared dead on arrival at the hospital.
After the incident, the police registered an accidental death report and conducted an autopsy. Examinations revealed that no harm was intentionally caused. However, the incident has sparked conversations about the risks associated with playing sports in crowded environments, an issue that is prevalent in urban areas where space is at a premium. Furthermore, it has sparked debate about the responsibility of sports associations, especially the Mumbai Cricket Association, in ensuring the safety of players and preventing such accidents.
The tragic incident ended with Sawala’s body being handed over to his bereaved family. Still, it is a reminder of the vulnerabilities that come from engaging in sporting activities in confined spaces. The incident highlights the urgent need for better safety measures and regulations at sporting events, especially in densely populated cities where the practice of holding multiple matches simultaneously is common.
Significantly, this is not the maiden incident of a player dying after being struck by a ball during a cricket game. Australia’s Phil Hughes also suffered the same fate after he missed a hook while facing Sean Abbott during a Sheffield Shield clash between South Australia and New South Wales at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) in November 2014.
