Two Pune shuttlers die in car crash

Two Pune shuttlers die in car crash Suhas Nayse, TNN | Feb 13, 2012, 02.30AM IST Article Comments Read more:Siddhant Ghorpade|Saurabh Paralikar|Pune shuttlers|Devavrat Bhalerao Tweet Nagpur: It was a sad day for badminton in general and Pune district in particular. In a tragic car accident, two talented national-level players of Pune died while another is battling serious injuries in a hospital. Former Maharashtra players - Saurabh Paralikar (23), Siddhant Ghorpade (21) and Devavrat Bhalerao (20) - were travelling in an Indica car after having their dinner when their car suddenly lost control and rammed into a roadside tree, killing the first two on the spot. The accident took place at around 1.30am on Sunday on the Mumbai-Bangalore Expressway near Balewadi Sports Complex, Pune. Paralikar had represented the Indian Universities team at the World University Games in Australia. An MBA, Paralikar was working with a private company in Pune and was an active player in the state and national circuit. Paralikar, who was ranked in the top 10 among under-19 shuttlers in India, had done well in the State Senior Badminton Championship at Jalgaon and Maharashtra Masters tournament held last year at Pune. Ghorpade, elder brother of international woman shuttler Sanyogita, was a former junior Maharashtra player. Southpaw Bhalerao is seriously injured and is been treated at Birla Hospital, Chinchwad. He has multiple fractures on his left hand and left leg but sources said he was out of danger. "We are absolutely shocked. It's the darkest day for Pune badminton. It is very unfortunate to lose two quality players. We are hoping Bhalerao will come back from the dangerous accident," said Uday Sane, secretary of Poona District and Metropolitan Badminton Association. The president of Maharashtra Badminton Association and former Indian star Pradeep Gandhe, who is now in Macau with the Indian badminton squad for the Thomas and Uber Cup, too was shocked. "I am terribly shocked to hear about this tragic news. It's a big loss to Pune and Maharashra badminton." Bhalerao was part of the 'Flamboyant Flamingos' team in the inaugural Maharashtra Badminton League last year. "I am terribly shocked to hear about this tragic news. It's a big loss to Pune and Maharashra badminton. The MBA family joins these grieved families in this period of grief," said Gandhe. Bhalerao was part of the 'Flamboyant Flamingos' team in the inaugural Maharashtra Badminton League last year. After the accident, there is now a big question mark over his return to the badminton court. "I was stunned when I got to know the sad news in the morning. I have played with all of them and they all were very good players. In fact, Bhalerao was my teammate in the MBL. I pray to God that he recovers fast," said Nagpur district champion Tom Thomas. Do you like this story? Post a Comment Follow this topic Follow @timesofindia Tough task for Indian shuttlers in Macau Ajay, Diju gear up for Thomas Cup Asia Zone RELATED COVERAGE Articles LATEST NEWS IN THIS SECTION ENTIRE WEBSITE Tough task for Indian shuttlers in Macau Ajay, Diju gear up for Thomas Cup Asia Zone Saina's illness a major blow for India Eye ulcer forces city shuttler Arundhati to miss Uber Cup » More MOST POPULAR READ COMMENTED SHARED VIDEOS Shop Mobile 58888 NRI SOLUTIONS Adidas Set of 3 Deo's for MenAdidas Set of 3 Deo's for Men » MORE SHOPPING