Kolkata: The trainer of the Indian U -19 team Rajesh Sawant was found dead in his hotel room in South Mumbai on Sunday.
The physical fitness trainer was a part of the training session with the team on Saturday morning. But suspicions arose on Saturday night when calls made to him went repeatedly unanswered.
The coach of the U-19 team and former Indian legendary batsman Rahul Dravid asked the BCCI manager Manu Sharma to check with Sawant even after not getting any replies on Sunday morning. Despite repeated attempts made at contacting him, he gave no response and thus the team staff had to use a spare key to open the door.
On opening the door they found Sawant lying in an unconscious state. Immediately he was shifted to Bombay Hospital where he was declared dead before admission. The Marine Drive Police was informed of this tragic incident.
The police said, “When there was no response after knocking the door repeatedly, the room was opened and they (the staff members) found him lying unconscious.” They further added that he might have died due to a cardiac arrest. The exact of his untimely demise has not yet been confirmed and can be done so after the process of post-mortem is done, according to Deputy Commissioner of Police, Manojkumar Sharma.
According to reports by the Hindustan Times, BCCI official Ratnakar Shetty said, “We are shocked by the tragedy. Rajesh did not come to the stadium with the team and when he didn’t respond to repeated phone calls, the security officer and team’s liaison officer went back to the hotel and opened the room with the spare key. He had suffered a massive cardiac arrest and was discovered lying in sleeping position in his bed.”
In an interview with PTI, BCCI CEO Rahul Johri said, “It’s a very unfortunate development. We are still in shock. Today when the boys left for practice, after reaching the stadium, it was found that Rajesh was not with the team. It was discovered that he had passed away in his hotel room.”
Rajesh Sawant who was 40, was earlier a part of the Afghanistan coaching staff and was also involved with the Indian U-19 side which played against England XI earlier this month. He was also a part of the support staff of the Rest Of India in the Irani Cup last week. The Indian U-19 team is scheduled to compete against England U-19 in five 50 over games and two four day games which starts tomorrow at the iconic Wankhede stadium in Mumbai.
Sawant was a fast bowler in his playing days and played Mumbai local cricket and also played for IDBI Bank cricket team. He was a part of the BCCI Mafatlal bowling scheme in the early 90’s.
Sportscrunch prays for the departed soul and extend condolences to his family and relatives.