Former Maharashtra Ranji player Shekhar Gawli dies after falling into valley while trekking

Former Maharashtra Ranji player Shekhar Gawli has been found dead after falling into a 250-feet deep gorge. Gawli’s body was recovered on Wednesday morning and the incident took place on the previous day when he had gone for a trek in Igatpuri, Nashik.

Gawli reportedly slipped during his trek and fell into the valley. Some reports also suggest that he was taking a selfie when he fell into the gorge.

Gawli was also the fitness coach of Maharashtra’s Under-23 cricket team. Gawli, a right-hand batsman and a leg-spinner, had also served as the assistant coach of the Maharashtra cricket team. The search for him began late in the night, with the local villagers also trying their best to find him. However, they were unable to do so and the search was halted at night. The body of Gawli was finally found on Wednesday morning.

Shekhar Gawli had represented Maharashtra in two Ranji matches

“His body was found at around 10 am on Wednesday. The body will be handed over to the family members after postmortem,” said an official as quoted by NDTV Sports.

Maharashtra Cricket Association also mourned his demise and offered condolences to his family. “In a tragic incident, our former player and current Trainer of Maharashtra team Shekhar Gawli passed away tragically. Our condolences to his family and friends. We are all with his family in this tragic situation. May his soul rest in peace,” Maharashtra Cricket Association said in a tweet.

In a tragic incident our former player and current Trainer of Maharashtra team Shekhar Gawli, passed away tragically .Our condolences to his family and friends .We are all with his family in this tragic situation.
May his soul rest in peace 🙏🏻
RIP Shekhar Gawli 💐#rip pic.twitter.com/q4QdSUIHJ6

— Maharashtra Cricket Association (@MaharashtraCric) September 2, 2020

Gawli, an all-rounder, had represented Maharashtra in two Ranji matches. He also had three wickets to his name.

BCCI, meanwhile, has announced November 19 as tentative date for the start of domestic season with Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 tournament. However, players contracted with IPL franchises won’t be able to play the initial phase of the tournament. The BCCI has also announced that there will be no Vijay Hazare Trophy, Duleep Trophy or Challenger Series this year and as of now, there is no provision for Irani Cup also.

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the domestic season will witness a day, meaning only Mushtaq Ali trophy and Ranji Trophy (December 13- March 10) comprising of 245 games will be played.