“I wish I could ask God why good die young!!!”
Losing someone young to death is heart wrenching and tragic experience. One is compelled to think life being unfair and the grief associated with it is unbearable.
The sad and unbelievable demise of young Avi Barot has left all of us in a state of shock. A great team man, always wearing a smile on his face and a bubbly character on the field was the synonym of this man. Just a few weeks before the start of BCCI domestic season for seniors, the team Sauashtra has lost its dear and loved buddy. It will be very hard for all the players, support staff and the members of the Association to feel the dressing room without this dependable cricketer around us.
Having played 38 first class games and equal number of List A games, a former India Under-19 Captain Avi made his first appearance for Saurashtra under the captaincy of Jaydev Shah. The President of SCA Jaydev Shah has some fond memories of Avi and could not believe the unfortunate news at first and said “Its a huge loss to all of us”. Avi Barot was part of the Saurashtra Ranji trophy winning team which created history in the year of 2020. Avi scored 54 in the 1st inning of that Ranji trophy final game against Bengal and employed an important 8th wicket run out at the crucial stage when Bengal was chasing the Saurashtra’s total. His contribution not only in the final but during the entire journey to the Ranji championship will always be remembered and cherished by one and all. Avi was a very positive and aggressive batsman as an opener and always looked to dominate the opposition. His knock of 122 of 53 balls against Goa in a Syed Mushtaq Ali tournament last year was one of the best innings this game has seen in the shorter format. One can say he was a true and potential IPL candidate for sure.
It is very painful for all of us to say “Good bye” to this noble soul. We standby the family of Avi in this difficult time of grief and sorrow and offer our deepest condolences.
The famous hindi movie “Anand” has a dialogue at the climax which fits as a tribute to the charismatic Avi Barot.
“Anand mara nahi….Anand marte nahi”
Avi too will live along….
-By Prakash Bhatt.
