Young TN cricketer found dead in Chennai

Chennai: A young Tamil Nadu cricketer, PK Dharma, has been found dead at his residence in Kodambakkaram and local authorities believe it to be a suicide case. Dharma, 20, was found hanging in his house on Sunday afternoon a day after participating in a three-day Tamil Nadu Cricketers' Association first-division final for his club, Globe Trotters, against Vijay CC at the Chidambaram Stadium.

According to reports, Dharma’s body was found at approximately 2.30pm by his father Kumar and mother Kumidini. The couple, upon not getting a response from their son’s mobile phone or from inside his room, used a spare key to enter Dharma’s room and found him hanging from the ceiling using a bed sheet inside the bedroom. They rushed him to a private hospital in Vadapalani, where he was declared brought dead. Kodambakkam police registered a case and sent the body for autopsy to Government Royapettah Hospital.

Former India batsman Sridharan Sriram, who captained the young medium-pacer at Globe Trotters, was quoted as saying: "He was a promising youngster who turned out into a fine allrounder. We (team members) didn't know much about his personal life, but this was an extreme step. It is a sad moment for us all.”

Local police have termed PK Dharma's death as a suicide case.

Globe Trotters coach M Senthilnathan said Dharma was a player with a bright future. "I have seen his development over the past five-six years. In these days of the Indian Premier League and the opportunity that it offers to domestic cricketers, I was expecting Dharma to make a mark for himself.”

Dharma represented Tamil Nadu in two List A games.

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