Published 18:10 IST, September 2nd 2020
Ex-Maharashtra Ranji player Shekhar Gawli dies after Igatpuri trekking accident
Shekhar Gawli went trekking in Igatpuri, Maharashtra along with his friends. It is speculated he lost his balance while trying to click a selfie on a tall stone.
Former Maharashtra Ranji trophy cricketer Shekhar Gawli, who was missing since Tuesday, was found dead on Wednesday. Reportedly, the 45-year-old died after falling in a 250-deep valley while trekking in Igatpuri, which is a hill station located in the Western Ghats. According to the local police, Shekhar Gawli went for trekking in Igatpuri, Nashik along with his friends. It is speculated that he lost his balance while trying to click a selfie on a tall stone, which led to him falling in the valley.
Shekhar Gawli was a former assistant coach of the Maharashtra Ranji team and the fitness trainer for the state's U-23 side for 3 years. He had also represented Maharashtra in two first-class games as a right-hand batsman and a leg spinner in 1997-1998. Gawli had picked up 3 wickets during his two matches with the Maharashtra side.
Maharashtra Cricket Association mourns Shekhar Gawli's death
The Maharashtra Cricket Association confirmed the news through their Twitter account, where the board offered its condolences to friends and family of the deceased. Gawli is survived by two children and a wife.
The Maharashtra Cricket Association in the tweet wrote about the death of Shekhar Gawli and the tragic nature of it. The board assured that they are with the family of their former player and U-23 fitness trainer. The locals searched for him when he was nowhere to be found on Tuesday, but failed as it had got dark. When the search resumed on Wednesday morning with police officials and a few people to have gone Igatpuri trekking, they found Gawli's body in the valley. They found the former cricket's body at around 10 AM on Wednesday.
It is interesting to note that some top Maharashtra players, including CSK squad members such as Kedar Jadhav and Ruturaj Gaekwad, have not yet commented on the matter.
IPL 2020 inching closer
The Indian domestic season is uncertain as of now but the UAE is set to host the IPL 2020 this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The IPL 2020 is scheduled to commence from September 19 and will stretch till November 10. All the franchises are currently stationed in the UAE, with several teams resuming their training sessions as well ahead of the IPL 2020.
Image source: MCA twitter
Updated 18:10 IST, September 2nd 2020