Saurashtra wicketkeeper Avi Barot passes away after cardiac arrest

Saurashtra wicketkeeper Avi Barot passed away on Friday, October 15 at the age of 29 after he suffered from severe cardiac arrest. He had played 23 first-class, 38 List A and 20 T20s for Saurashtra after making his debut way back in 2011. He had scored over 3,200 runs with 22 half-centuries and two centuries to show for his efforts.

He last played a competitive game for Saurashtra against Delhi in the 2021 Vijay Hazare Trophy back in March. Barot also took 80 catches and effected seven stumpings in his career for Saurashtra. His demise has left the Saurashtra Cricket Association upset.

“Everyone at Saurashtra Cricket Association deeply shocked and saddened on very shocking, untimely and extremely sad demise of Avi Barot, remarkable and notable Cricketer of Saurashtra. He left for heavenly abode in the evening of 15th October 2021 due to severe cardiac arrest. He was 29 years old,” Saurashtra Cricket Association said in a statement.

SCA in deep shock after Avi Barot’s demise

Jaydev Shah, the President of Saurashtra Cricket Association (SCA), lauded Barot for being a great character, both on and off the field.

“In all recent domestic matches, he had performed remarkably well. He was very friendly and noble human being. We all at Saurashtra Cricket Association are in deep shock,” he stated.

“Everyone in Saurashtra Cricket Association conveys heartfelt condolences to family members on very sad demise of Avi Barot and pray Almighty to grant eternal peace to his noble soul and to give enough strength to Avi’s family, friends and all dear ones to bear this unbearable loss,” the statement further read.

Barot played a major role one and half years ago when Saurashtra won the Ranji Trophy after a closely fought contest against Bengal at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium. In that tournament, he played five games and scored 309 runs at an average of 34.33 with three half-centuries and a top score of 82.

He also took 11 catches and effected one stumping for his team in the first-class tournament. Barot had a top score of 122 in T20s, showing that he could adapt as per the format of the game. In T20 cricket, Barot played at a strike rate of 146.62.