Graham Thorpe to India's VB Chandrasekhar: International Cricketers Who Died by Suicide

Former England batter Graham Thorpe’s death had already saddened the cricket fraternity and now, her wife’s revelation has come as a huge shock. The English legend took his own life after a struggle with depression and anxiety. In fact, he had tried committing suicide back in May 2022, probably when he was coaching the Afghanistan Cricket Team.

Thorpe isn’t the first international cricketer who died by suicide. Unfortunately, there have been several more who took the extreme step due to certain circumstances. Let’s have a look at the cricketing figures who chose to end their lives:

David Bairstow, England

David Bairstow, the father of wicketkeeper-batter Jonny Bairstow, died by suicide in 1998. The former Yorkshire and England cricketer hung himself on 5th January 1998 at his residence in Yorkshire due to financial troubles.

Aubrey Faulkner, South Africa

Faulkner played 25 Tests for South Africa from 1906 to 1924. Later in 1930, he gassed himself in a storeroom at his cricket school. According to reports, he was suffering from bipolar disorder.

Jack Iverson, Australia

Iverson was an Australian leg-spinner who played 5 Test matches for Australia in 1951-52. He killed himself in 1973 after suffering from recurring depression. Iverson shot himself in the chest to end his life.

Harold Gimblett, England

Gimblett, a Somerset cricketer, played 3 Tests for England. He was troubled by mental problems. At the age of 63, he died by suicide suicide after an overdose of a prescribed drug, in 1978.

VB Chandrasekhar, India

Former India and Tamil Nadu cricketer VB Chandrasekhar died by suicide suicide in 2019. He died by hanging himself in his house just five days before his birthday. Chandrasekhar had played 7 ODIs for India.

Graham Thorpe, England

Graham Thorpe took his own life after a struggle with depression and anxiety, his wife confirmed to English media. His illustrious career saw him represent England in 100 test matches. His career-best score was 200 runs, which he made against New Zealand during a match played in Christchurch, in 2002. In ODIs, Thorpe scored 2380 runs in 77 innings of 82 matches. Thorpe is survived by his wife Amanda and their two daughters Kitty and Emma.