Tragic Loss: Young Cricketer Takes Her Life After Selection Setback

Heartbreaking Incident in Puducherry

A young aspiring cricketer from Puducherry tragically ended her life after not being selected for the state women's T20 team following recent trials. The Cricket Association of Pondicherry (CAP) held these selection trials in April at the CAP Ground in Thutipet.

These trials were aimed at forming the squad for the upcoming domestic season, where players vie for spots in the Puducherry team that competes in BCCI-organized tournaments. Unfortunately, only a select few are chosen from a large pool of talented players based on their performance during the trials.

The high level of competition means that many hopefuls face disappointment when they are not included in the final team, as opportunities at the domestic level are scarce and fiercely contested.

Details of the Incident

The deceased, identified as Angel Gangwani, was just 19 years old. She reportedly took her own life after learning she had not made it onto the final Puducherry Women’s T20 squad. Angel was the daughter of GST Superintendent Kashmir Kumar and had been training in Puducherry for two years while also pursuing her education.

According to reports, Angel's family had been residing in Chennai for the last 12 years, and she moved to Puducherry to further her studies and cricket training. She was in her second year of a BBA program at a private college in Velrampet, balancing her academic responsibilities with her passion for cricket.

P. Durairaj, the owner of the house where Angel lived, mentioned that she had participated in the selection trials but was not included in the final team for the upcoming season.

Discovery of the Tragic Event

The situation came to light when Durairaj went to check on Angel after she failed to respond to his calls. He found her unresponsive in her room after she returned from cricket practice at around 8 PM on Wednesday.

Her coach, Kathirvel, also grew concerned when Angel did not answer his calls. He visited her residence and discovered her hanging from the ceiling. She was rushed to a government hospital in Kathirkamam, but unfortunately, doctors declared her dead upon arrival.

This heartbreaking incident has sent shockwaves through the local cricket community and has reignited discussions about the immense pressures young athletes face in competitive environments.