Cricket is a gentleman's sport, which is mostly played in the right spirit and the best possible safety measures, keeping in mind the player's health and protection. However, despite all of these measures, there have been some incidents, which tend to take a toll on not just the player's health, but also their life.
While injuries are common and a part and parcel of the sport, most of the injuries allow the players to make a successful comeback. However, some are so severe that not just it affects them a lifetime, some even lead to their death.
A number of cricketers have fallen prey to this unfortunate incident. In the same light, we take a look at five of the prominent cricketers, who lost their lives while battling for the sport they loved.
Raman Lamba: A popular domestic cricketer who played international cricket for India and also represented Ireland in unofficial matches. He was a regular player in Bangladesh's Dhaka Premier League, when in 1998, he was struck on the head while fielding at the short leg. The shot was so powerful that it reached the wicketkeeper after deflecting off his head. He suffered an internal brain haemorrhage, as he was in a coma for three days. A neurosurgeon from Delhi was called in, but all efforts went in vain. Hewas taken off from his ventilator on the third day and declared dead. Raman had played four Tests and 32 ODIs for India.
Phillip Hughes: The Australian opener was one of the more recent ones to fall victim to fatal on-field injuries. It was in 2014 when playing for South Australia in the Sheffield Shield, he was struck on the neck, right below his ear, which was unprotected by the helmet. He underwent surgery and was placed in a coma, while he was reported to have suffered a subarachnoid haemorrhage. However, he succumbed to his injury and passed away a couple of days later. Cricket Australia (CA) then launched serious measures to improvise helmets for better safety of the batsmen, which was later adopted by the International Cricket Council (ICC).
Zulfikar Bhatti: A Pakistani domestic cricketer, he was one of the rising stars for the nation. Aged 22, he was playing in the Begum Khursheed Memorial T20 tournament, when he suffered a blow to the chest while attempting a pull shot. He immediately collapsed to the ground but signalled that he was fine. He was taken to a civil hospital, as he failed to respond thereon and was put on a ventilator. The doctors reportedly made every attempt but in vain. It was proclaimed that he had breathed his last while being stretchered off the field.
Ian Folley: A renowned English domestic cricketer in 1993, when playing for Whitehaven was hit under the eye while batting against Workington. He was quickly taken to a local hospital, where he underwent a minor eye operation. While he was placed under anaesthesia, he suffered a heart attack. Moments later, he was declared dead.The hospital later admitted to negligence.
George Summers: Being one of the first cricketers to pass away after a fatal injury, summers saw his endin 1870.When playing for Nottinghamshire, he was hit by a short-pitched delivery off pacer John Platts. He was carried off the field but did not visit the hospital after as he seemed to be recovering.He went back home. However, four days later, he succumbed to his injuries. Following this incident, Platts never bowled fast again, while the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) ensured to improve the pitch at Lord's, which was known to be poor back then.
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