Shocking demise: Former Karnataka bowler SL Akshay suffers heart attack mid-game

BENGALURU: Former Karnataka Ranji Trophy pacer S.L. Akshay passed away on Sunday after suffering a cardiac arrest during a local division cricket match in the city. He was 39. The incident occurred at the K.R. Puram grounds, where Akshay—a native of Shivamogga—was representing Sapphire CC against Bharat CC in the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) Nassur Memorial Shield Tournament. According to sources, the veteran cricketer complained of sudden chest pain and collapsed shortly after completing a four-over bowling spell. Akshay was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital, but medical professionals confirmed he was brought dead. "It is a devastating loss for the state's cricketing fraternity. He was a fierce competitor on the field and a dedicated mentor off it," a KSCA official stated. A respected figure in Karnataka’s domestic circuit, Akshay was known for his impactful performances in first-class cricket and was a prominent face in the Karnataka Premier League (now rebranded as the Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20). Following his retirement from professional competitive cricket, he transitioned into coaching, playing a pivotal role in nurturing grassroots and junior-level talent across the state. The KSCA, along with several of his former teammates and contemporaries, expressed deep condolences over his untimely and shocking demise, remembering him as an asset to Karnataka cricket.