It’s often said dreaming is easy while achieving isn’t and on the other side there’s a famous quote “if you can dream it, you can achieve it” and surely many people live and prove this quote.
Cricket is one of the most famous sports in the world and it requires a great deal to become a cricketer. You have to be mentally sound and fit to play this sport.
But there are always exceptions. The cricketing world has also seen such players who fought against all odds to achieve their dreams. Some fought diseases while others battled disabilities to don the cricketing kit.
In today’s article we will be naming 5 cricketers whose passion and confidence wasn’t even deterred by illness and disabilities.
1.Washington Sundar
Washington Sundar has made a name for himself in international and domestic cricket. He made his debut for men in blue in 2017 and thus far he has played 4 Tests, 18 ODIs, and 40 T20is for the side. He also plays IPL and in international cricket he has also scored 5 half-centuries while picking a total of 53 wickets.
To many people’s surprise, he is deaf in one ear. He found it at the age of 4-5 and his parents tried so many things but nothing happened. Despite this, he achieved his dream and is playing cricket now.
2.Shoaib Akhtar
Shoaib Akhtar known as Rawalpindi express was one of the fastest bowlers the cricketing world ever saw. In his childhood, he faced a disability as he was flat-footed which saw him unable to run or walk. Nevertheless, he overcame it with sheer determination to become a cricketer.
He also faced hyperextension in joints which allowed the fluid to be filled in knees which causes pain. Akhtar even admits that he used to remove fluid from his knees in between innings.
Still, he managed to record a 100-mph barrier and took 178 wickets in Test and 247 wickets in ODIs.
3.Martin Guptill
Guptill has been prolific run-scorer for New Zealand as he has scored 2586 runs in Test, 7346 in ODIS, and 3531 runs in T20is. He also holds the record for highest-individual score in a World Cup as he recorded a knock of 237 against West Indies in 2015 ODI World Cup.
Nevertheless, Guptill played such an amazing cricketer while he has only two toes in his left-foot. If anything, it was difficult for him to maintain balance. He lost his toes in a forklift accident.
4..Bhagwat Chandrasekhar
Bhagwat Chandrasekhar was one of the best leg- spinners and he played for India from 1964-1976. He took 242 wickets in Tests and 3 wickets in ODIs. He was known for his quick arm-action and lengthy run-up.
But not many know that he was struck down by polio when he was around 5 years old and by virtue of this he lost sensation in his right hand.
He grew up playing badminton and tennis with his left hand. He tried massage and other therapies to have the sensation back and he got it back but it remained shrivelled due to muscle atrophy.
5.Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi
Mansur Ali Patudi was one of the excellent players who played for India. He was the son of former England and India cricketer Iftikhar Ali Khan Pataudi.
He was youngest Test captain for India and went on to play 46 Tests, scoring 2793 runs with 6 centuries.
However, the surprising fact is he played with one eye. In 1961, he met with an accident which impaired and damaged his right eye as unfortunately doctors were successful in saving just one eye.
Mansur faced double vision but trained himself to see with only one eye. After 6 months of losing one eye, he made his debut for India.
