Adopting future cricketing stars

Yograj Singh adopts an underprivileged 11-year-old fast-bowler, whose talents impressed even Bishan Singh Bedi

Former India fast bowler Yograj Singh has decided to adopt an eleven-year-old boy named Dimpakar Yadav, from Lakhamapur, a village in Uttar Pradesh’s (UP) Azamgarh District. Yograj hopes to train Dimpakar at his academy in Chandigarh. The boy’s father, Shashidhar Yadav, is a clerk working in a small office in Lakhamapur.

Dimpakar, who recently passed his Class V exams, is a fast-bowler and a part-time batsman. Speaking exclusively to us over telephone from Punjab, 62-year-old Yograj says, “Dimpakar belongs to a poor family in UP, but he seems to be very talented in cricket, and I am bringing him to Chandigarh for his education as well as to help him with his cricket.”

Incidentally, the recommendations for Dimpakar came from none other than the former India captain and legendary spinner, Bishan Singh Bedi, who called Yograj about it. Apparently, the boy’s family had sent a video of the boy playing to Bedi, which left the ex-spinner highly impressed. The boy and his family have since been in contact with Bedi.

“The boy is a natural athlete. His run-up, action, delivery and the follow-through are marvellous. It is a God’s gift to the boy,” Yograj Singh says.

Then adding that he thinks Dimpakar can be groomed into a great fast bowler/all-rounder, Yograj tells us that he had always nurtured a dream to produce a tear-away fast bowler for the country. “I am hoping this is it,” says Yograj. “There’s so much talent in this country. If we all can adopt one child from a poor family and bring them up, we can make a great Nation one day. It’s all about love in your heart for others. After all, we are all God’s children.”

There’s so much talent in this country. If we all can adopt one child from a poor family and bring them up, we can make a great Nation one day. It’s all about love in your heart for others. After all, we are all God’s children

— YOGRAJ SINGH