Over the years, cricket has played a crucial role in shaping up the careers of various players. Their zeal and consistent performance have helped them to play for their country. From time and again, cricket fans have witnessed the growth of Indian cricketers through biographies or biopics. However, there are many more stars who were poor before they became a protuberant part of Team India.
Here are 5 such renowned Indian cricketers who overcame dreadful circumstances through their determination of playing cricket and now dealing with millions.
1. Virender Sehwag
Sehwag is the only Indian batsman to smash 2 triple centuries in Tests. He also is the only batsman in the world to score a double century in ODIs as a captain. Nawab of Nazafgarh scored as many as 15 ODI and 23 Test centuries. He has always been known for own ferocious batting style but very few know that he went through plenty of sufferings before he could attain success.
Sehwag’s father was a wheat merchant and he had grown up in a joint family of 50 members who all shared one house in Nazafgarh. He used to travel 84 km each day to attend his cricket practice. After years of hard work and struggle, Sehwag finally got the chance to share the dressing room with his idol Sachin Tendulkar.
2. Ravindra Jadeja
Despite the fact that Jadeja is currently the No. 1 Test bowlers and all-rounder, he had gone through a traumatic phase in his early life. His father was a security guard who wanted him to become an army officer. However, Jadeja always had an inclination towards the game and always got the support of her mother.
Unfortunately, in 2005, Jadeja lost his mother in an accident after which he almost decided to quit cricket. With the support and encouragement from his sister, Sri Jadeja continued playing the sport and in 2008, he featured in the U-19 World Cup winning team under the leadership of Virat Kohli.
Jadeja became a popular name in Indian cricket when he scored a superb triple century in domestic cricket which led him to his inclusion in Team India. Currently, Jadeja is under Grade A contract with the BCCI and earns INR 15 lakhs for every Test, INR 6 lakhs for every ODIs and INR 3 Lakhs for every T20I.
3. Harbhajan Singh
Popularly knowns as the ‘Turbanator’, Harbhajan Singh is the third highest Indian wicket taker in Test. He made his international debut in 1998, but soon after his maiden series, he was dropped from the team for 3 successive years. During that time, unfortunately, he lost his father as well. Vanquished by pressure from his family, Bhajji then thought of quitting cricket and move to Canada to become a truck driver. But soon his luck turned his way and in 2001, he was selected for the Border-Gavaskar trophy against Australia. And since then the rest is history.
4. Zaheer Khan
Zaheer Khan is arguably one of the best fast bowlers of India. He has taken as many as 282 wickets in ODIs and 311 Test wickets. But in order to make it to the Indian team, Zaheer was plagued with thorns.
Since his childhood days, Zaheer wanted to play for India. He left his home and shifted with his Aunt in order to play for Mumbai’s National Cricket Club. His aunt used to work in the hospital and she arranged for him to stay in a small hospital room without any bed or pillow. Soon his mentor helped him to get a job and which helped him earn some money. Finally, Zaheer got a place in the national squad in 2000 and represented India in 3 World Cups since then.
5. Umesh Yadav
One of Team India’s fastest bowlers, Umesh has become a permanent member of the Indian team. He also plays a crucial role in Shahrukh Khan-owned IPL team Kolkata Knight Riders. However, his initial days were not as pleasant.
Umesh’s father used to work in a coal mine to earn some money for the family and Umesh had first thought of becoming a policeman. In due course, he got selected for a bowling camp where he explored his bowling skills. Since then he left his studies and focused completely on his bowling. His hard work and a lot of sacrifices had earned him an inclusion in the national team in the year 2010 against Zimbabwe.
Yadav has signed the Grade B contract with the BCCI and now he earns INR 6 lakh for a Test match, INR 6 lakhs for an ODI as well and INR 3 lakhs for every T20I game he plays.
