A pall of grief has descended upon the cricketing world following the tragic death of former Indian all-rounder Rajesh Banik in a road accident. Banik, who later transitioned into roles as a selector and coach, passed away on Friday night in Anandanagar, West Tripura. He was 40 years old.

According to reports, Banik sustained critical injuries when his motorcycle was involved in an accident. He was immediately rushed to GBP Hospital in Agartala, but doctors pronounced him dead upon arrival. The former cricketer had reportedly been battling several health issues. He is survived by his mother. His family has declined a post-mortem examination and submitted a written declaration to the police.

Born on December 12, 1984, in Agartala, Banik demonstrated exceptional cricketing talent from a young age. He made his Ranji Trophy debut for Tripura in the 2002-03 season, quickly establishing himself as a valuable all-rounder, known for his solid middle-order batting and skillful leg-break bowling. His consistent performances in domestic cricket earned him a coveted spot in the India Under-15 squad for the Costcutter World Challenge 2000, where he proudly represented the country. During that tournament, he shared the dressing room with future Indian stars like Ambati Rayudu and Irfan Pathan. Banik also captained Tripura during their most successful domestic cricket season in 2016-17, when the team reached the Ranji Trophy quarterfinals for the first time.

After retiring from professional cricket, Banik dedicated himself to nurturing young talent as a selector for Tripura's Under-16 team. Known for his humility and generosity, he served as a guide and role model for emerging players in the state.

The news of his untimely demise has deeply shocked the cricket community in Tripura. The Tripura Cricket Association (TCA) paid tribute to Banik at its headquarters on Saturday. The TCA acknowledged the loss of a talented cricketer and mourned the unfortunate event.