“Rest in peace….”: Shikhar Dhawan grieves passing of young Ben Austin

Aakash Saini

Shikhar Dhawan and Ben Austin [Source: Getty, @cricketcomau/x]Shikhar Dhawan and Ben Austin [Source: Getty, @cricketcomau/x]

Former Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan expressed his grief over the demise of aspiring Australian cricketer Ben Austin. Austin, aged just 17, recently lost his life while training at a cricket facility in Ferntree Gully earlier this week.

During a practice session in the nets, the youngster was unexpectedly hit on his neck by a ball thrown using a handheld ball launcher. While he was wearing a helmet at the time, lack of neck guard left a vulnerable spot exposed, resulting in a fatal injury that tragically cut short his budding cricketing journey.

Shikhar Dhawan pens heartfelt words for Ben Austin’s family

On Friday, October 31, i.e., a couple of days after the tragic demise of young Ben Austin, legendary Indian opener and former cricketer Shikhar Dhawan penned a heartfelt social media post for the youngster’s grieving family.

The Crex brand ambassador expressed his condolences, stating that Ben Austin was just 17 with his dreams “yet to take off”. Taking to X, he wrote:

“No words can ease the pain of losing someone so young. Ben Austin was only 17, with dreams yet to take flight. Thinking of his loved ones and the entire cricket family in this difficult time. Rest in peace, Ben.”

The demise of Ben Austin shook the entire cricketing fraternity, with tributes pouring in from all over the world as players, fans, and officials united in mourning the loss of a promising young talent gone far too soon.

The recent T20I match between Australia and India at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) was also preceded by players from both sides observing a minute of silence in the memory of the youngster.

The accident of Ben Austin occurred roughly a decade after the shock demise of former Australian cricketer Phil Hughes, who was also struck on his neck, albeit during a Sheffield Shield match at the SCG.