Indian Cricketer Hit By Ball During Match, Dies

In a shocking incident, an under-19 cricketer died after being hit by the cricket ball during a match in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district on Thursday. The under-19 tournament was being organised by government’s youth services and sports department.

The young cricketer was identified as Jahangir Ahmad War,18, a resident of Pattan in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district. He was hit on his neck when he was batting during a match between Baramulla and Budgam under-19 teams.

According to Hindustan Times report, a police official of Mattan police station said that the death was accidental as the ball hit a critical spot on his neck despite wearing a helmet. "He became unconscious when he was hit. By the time he reached nearby hospital doctors declared him dead,” the officer said.

Locals said that War, a left handed batsman and a class 11 student, attempted a pull the ball but missed, the Hindustan Times further reported.

Meanwhile, Director General youth services and sports, Saleem ur Rehman said that War was hit in the same fashion as Australian cricketer Phillip Hughes during a Sheffield Shield match at the Sydney Cricket Ground on 25 November 2014. Hughes had died two days after being hit.