17-year-old woman cricketer found dead in Vikarabad; family alleges blackmail by two youths

The suicide of an emerging woman cricketer in Vikarabad, Telangana, has left the sporting community in shock. The 17-year-old had recently been selected for the BCCI Under-19 women's cricket team. She took her life at the house where she lived.

The player is not being named because she was a minor. She was from a village in Vikarabad district and lived with her grandmother in Vikarabad town for studies and professional cricket training. Alongside her studies, she practised cricket daily. Her hard work paid off with her selection, and there was joy in her family and across the area. Her dream was to play for India one day.

According to the police's initial information, she hanged herself from the hook of a ceiling fan in the house using a dupatta. Preliminary information also suggests that she took the step after being driven to despair by continued harassment and blackmail by some youths. Local police reached the spot soon after being informed of the incident at about nine in the morning. After completing legal formalities and the panchnama, the body was handed over to the grieving family on Friday morning following the post-mortem.

After the incident, the family and angry relatives took to the road and staged a vigorous protest. The parents have alleged that their daughter took the step after being driven to despair by constant mental harassment and blackmail by two youths. The family has demanded immediate, strict legal action against whoever is found guilty.

For a thorough and impartial investigation, Vikarabad Circle Inspector Raghu has seized the girl's mobile phone and sent it for forensic examination. Her Instagram account and chats are being examined closely to establish who harassed her through social media, and how.

The administration has said strict action will be taken against the guilty on the basis of the evidence that emerges in the police investigation. The sporting community regards the incident as the sudden loss of a hardworking and talented player, one that cannot be made good.