Former Karnataka cricketer SL Akshay dies at 39 due to heart attack while playing division match

Former Karnataka fast bowler SL Akshay, who was a prominent figure in the state's dominant domestic era, passed away on Sunday after suffering a heart attack during a competitive cricket match.

Ex-Karnataka cricketer SL Akshay no more

The 39-year-old was representing Sapphire CC in a Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) third division fixture when the tragedy occurred. After bowling four overs in the game, Akshay complained of feeling uncomfortable and uneasy; despite being rushed immediately to a nearby hospital for emergency medical attention, he was tragically pronounced dead.

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Born in Shimoga, Akshay made his senior debut for Karnataka in a Vijay Hazare Trophy List A match against Hyderabad in Chennai back in 2010. Known for his hard-working and relentless bowling style, he went on to represent the state in six First-Class games, three List A matches, and nine T20s between 2011 and 2013. Breaking into the senior side was a major feat at the time, as Karnataka boasted a formidable frontline pace trio of R. Vinay Kumar, Abhimanyu Mithun, and Sreenath Arvind. He saved one of his finest performances for his final List A appearance in 2013, claiming a career-best four for 50 against Hyderabad.

Akshay was part of Karnataka's victorious Ranji Trophy campaign in 2014-15

Beyond his individual statistics, Akshay was a respected member of the historic Karnataka squad that went on to lift the prestigious Ranji Trophy title during the 2014–15 season. Following the conclusion of his professional playing career, he transitioned into mentorship and gave back to the sport by joining the state’s under-19 coaching staff, continuing to shape the next generation of Karnataka cricket until his untimely passing.

"Akshay represented Karnataka with distinction at the first-class level and, even beyond his playing career, continued to serve the game with unwavering passion and dedication. As a junior-level coach, he played a pivotal role in nurturing and mentoring young cricketers, leaving an enduring impact on the development of cricketing talent in the State," Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) said in a statement.

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Meanwhile, former Karnataka player and India cricketer Dodda Ganesh on X, wrote:

“Terrible terrible news for the cricket community. SL Akshay, 39, a fast bowler, whom I saw from close quarters from his U19 days has passed away today while playing a division match. Just don’t have words to express my grief. A soft spoken guy who played for Karnataka in 2011/12 with decent success, is no more. RIP Akshay.”