From John Hastings to Saba Karim: Cricketers whose careers were cut short due to injuries, health issues

Hastings, who has represented his country in all three formats of the game, revealed last month he was struggling with an illness that causes him to cough up blood whenever he bowls. His decision to pull the pin came after doctors were unable to reassure him that he wouldn't bleed to death on the cricket pitch.

(Image: AFP File Photo)

James Taylor, the Nottinghamshire and England batsman, was forced to retire from cricket with immediate effect after being diagnosed with a serious heart condition. Taylor suffered from ARVC (Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy).  ARVC is an inherited condition that causes the walls of the heart muscle to become stretched, inhibiting blood flow and usually becoming progressively worse over time. As well as causing palpitations, light-headedness and fainting, it carries a risk of sudden death due on exertion. Taylor's diagnosis was similar to that of former footballer Fabrice Muamba, who collapsed on the field during a FA Cup tie between Bolton Wanderers and Tottenham Hotspur in March 2012. 

(Image: Reuters File Photo)

Saba Karim was one India's most successful wicketkeepers and a decent right-handed batsman. However, Karim's career ended prematurely in 2000 due to a brutal eye injury during a Test against Bangladesh. The stumper was struck on the right eye by a delivery off Anil Kumble where the ball deflected off Habibul Bashar's pad to ricochet into Saba's eye. With his eyesight not showing any improvement, the wicketkeeper-batsman, who played one Test and 34 ODIs, was forced to take retirement.

(Image: Twitter @BCCI)

In 1962, India's young captain Nari Contractor was left critically ill after being struck on the head by West Indies fast bowler Charlie Griffith while batting. He made a remarkable recovery and while he did return to the game, he was never again picked for his country.

(Image: File Photo)

Vijay Bharadwaj was an excellent all-rounder who had impressed in his debut series for India winning the Man of the Series title. Bharadwaj had a shinning career ahead of him which was horribly cut short by a back injury and then a eye operation that went terribly wrong. He continued playing but never returned to his former glory. He retired in 2006. (Image: YouTube)

Mark Boucher, the veteran South African wicket keeper was forced to retire from all forms of the game after a flying bail hit him in the eye. Boucher sustained a serious eye injury when a googly from Imran Tahir cleaned up Somerset batsman Gemaal Hussain but the dislodged bail hit the glovesman on the eye. He left the ground bleeding profusely in 2012. He retired the next day.

(Image: File Photo)

Craig Kieswetter was one of the stars of England’s triumph at the ICC World T20 2010 in the Caribbean. Sadly, his career was brutally cut short when in July 2014 he was hit on his eye while batting in a county fixture. He underwent surgery and tried to make a comeback during the domestic T20 tournament in South Africa, but had to call it a day in June 2015 at the age of 27. 

(Image: File Photo)