Former Indian cricketer’s mother found with throat slit in apartment

Former Indian cricketer and actor Salil Ankola’s mother, Mala Ashok Ankola, was found dead in her flat in Pune.

According to police, the body of 77-year-old Mala was found in her flat on Prabhat Road in Deccan Gymkhana area on Friday afternoon.

Reports said that the incident came to light when a domestic staff member came to the flat, and despite repeated knocks on the door, no one answered.

Later, the neighbours and relatives were informed, after which the door of the flat was broken. When the door was opened, the body was found in the room, throat slit, initially believed to be self-inflicted.

The body has been sent for post-mortem, and the case is being investigated. According to Indian media, Mala Ashok had a mental illness.

Ankola played one Test and 20 ODIs between 1989 and 1997. He made his Test debut with legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar in November 1989.

The fast-medium bowler later acted in films and TV serials, retiring from cricket in 1998 at the age of 28.

He played the lead role in Sanjay Dutt’s famous Indian drama serials ‘Vikral Gabral’ and ‘Ssshhhh…Koi Hai’.