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TREAT US LIKE NORMAL CRICKETERS: RAVINDER PAL
The Indian differentlyabled cricket team’s captain, who hails from Haryana, expresses the need to get the same regard and reward by the government like players of Indian cricket team
In a country likes ours where cricket is almost a ‘religion’ the Indian differently-abled cricket team’s recent achievement has gone unnoticed. The team that comprises players with several disabilities has won the tri-series in Sri Lanka, recently. But unfortunately, didn’t get their fair share of applause this time around.
“Currently, the whole focus of the country is on Asian Games 2018 (being held in Indonesia). People are not really aware about our accomplishment. Ek to Asian Games ko jyada privilege milti hai aur dusra, hampe focus bhi nahin hai. I want to request government authorities to give us the same regard and reward like normal cricketers. Don’t differentiate. We have the same potential and calibre,” says Ravinder Pal, captain of the Indian differently-abled cricket team.
Born and brought up in Fatehpur, Haryana, Pal lost his arm in a tragedy in 2000. He has been playing cricket since his childhood and didn’t want to give it up. “Cricket has always been a part of my life. But the break came when I lost one hand while working with a grass-cutting machine. I was representing my state and playing domestic cricket before that. I didn’t lose hope after the accident, and I picked up my bat and played.”
But by 2004, he had lost hope and decided to quit playing. “Some people made me realise that there is no future for a handicapped person in cricket.” But destiny had other plans. “After losing all hope, I was watching one series between two teams (comprising specially-abled players). It gave me the idea to form an Indian team, and I shared it with the general secretary of the differently-abled society. And here we are, making our country proud. My father, who was against my passion for cricket saw me practising and asked me to go ahead with the idea. This became the turning point of my life,” says Pal, who was instrumental in forming the team in 2008.
Speaking about the challenges that he faces on the field, Pal says, “There are two things that matter in cricket. One, is to judge the coordination between the eye and the ball, which comes naturally to me. The other, is to hit the ball with force and direction. That is something one can do best with both hands: one is used for force and the other is for direction. For me, the challenge is to do both with one hand.”
Currently, the whole focus of the country is on Asian Games 2018 (being held in Indonesia). People are not really aware about our accomplishment.
RAVINDER PAL CRICKETER