
In a devastating blow to Indian basketball, 16-year-old prodigy Hardik Rathi died in a freak accident on 25 November 2025, when a rusted basketball pole collapsed during practice in Rohtak, Haryana, crushing his chest and extinguishing a promising career.
This national team hopeful, celebrated for medals in youth nationals, highlights the dire state of sports infrastructure, sparking outrage over maintenance negligence and safety lapses amid rising youth athlete tragedies.