KKR captain Gambhir pledges support to late cricketer's family

New Delhi, April 21 (IANS) Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) will extend support to late Bengal cricketer Ankit Keshri's family, team skipper Gautam Gambhir has said.

Former Bengal Under-19 captain Keshri, who sustained a head injury in an on-field collision with a fellow fielder while taking a catch on Friday, died in a private hospital on Sunday.

"The boy is not there with us and it is very disturbing. You can't replace what the family has lost," Gambhir said after his team beat Delhi Daredevils by six wickets in their Indian Premier League match on Monday.

"But I can assure you one thing that we (KKR) would go out there and do whatever we can for the family."

"We would always be there and hopefully we could contribute as much as we could. We will do anything possible for them," he added.

The 20-year-old East Bengal player was injured and fell unconscious on the ground following a collision with Sourav Mondal during a Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) senior knockout match against Bhowanipore.

The opening batsman, a member of the Under-23 Bengal squad this year, was under treatment in two hospitals after his injury, and passed away following a massive heart attack, a CAB official said.

Gambhir expressed his grief about the tragic incident earlier on social networking site Twitter.

"Shattered 2 hear about Ankit Keshri's demise. Nothing worse for parents than to see their 20-year old pass away. My condolences 2 d family," he tweeted on Monday.

"As Ankit's soul RIP I hope God presents solace 2 his family & team mates especially Sourav Mondal wid whom he collided. Cruel twist of fate."