Despite hailing from a challenging background, Sakariya proves that IPL is for cricketers who dream big

By K.R. Nayar

IPL is a stage for cricketers who work hard and willing to chase their dreams. Challenging backgrounds or life’s struggles are never an obstacle for them. Rajasthan Royals’ Chetan Sakariya is the latest among the youngsters to prove that nothing can stop one’s desire to play in the IPL and win laurels

Chetan Sakaria being applauded by his teammates in the match against Chennai Super Kings. Photo: Courtesy IPL

Tales of many of the cricketers playing in the Indian Premier League (IPL) are quite touching. Some are about the struggles they've had to undergo to become an IPL player and some are about the devotion they showed towards the game to earn success.  
The excellent bowling display by an unknown 23-year-old left-arm pacer, Chetan Sakariya, pushed me to know more about him.  Playing Rajasthan Royals, he produced three wickets spells against Kings Punjab and Chennai Super Kings.  

While I was looking for some more information about this boy who hails from Bhavnagar in the western state of Gujarat, India, I came across a tweet by former Indian batsman Virender Sehwag. His tweet said: “Chetan Sakariya's brother committed suicide a few months ago, but his parents did not let him know for 10 days since he was playing the SMA (Syed Mushtaq Ali) trophy. What cricket means to these young men and their families. IPL is a true measure of the Indian dream & some stories of extraordinary grit. Great prospect.”

Chetan Sakaria after taking the wicket of Chennai skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Photo: Courtesy IPL 

Sehwag's last statement in the tweet has been proven time and again. IPL has had a history of many cricketers with tremendous grit, and Sakariya is undoubtedly one among them and the latest. In January, Sakariya lost his younger brother to whom he was very close. Sakariya was playing in the Syed Mushtaq Ali trophy when his brother committed suicide. It was unfortunate that he was unable to share with his brother the joy of being bought by Rs 1.20 corers by Rajasthan Royals after intense bidding.

Sakariya has struggled from a very young age to realise his dream of becoming a good cricketer. His father is a pick-up driver who works hard to make ends meet. Sakariya worked in his uncle’s stationery shop to pursue his studies as well as his dream of playing cricket. Very often his father would dissuade him from playing and remind him that cricket was a rich man’s game. Little did he know that one day his son too would make money through the game.  Sakariya's home did not have a television and he used to watch cricket matches at his neighbour’s home. He did not even have the money to buy boots till the Saurashtra player Sheldon Jackson gifted him one.

After Sakariya got picked for the Saurashtra Under-19 team and bagged 18 wickets in six games in the Cooch Behar Trophy, he kept progressing. He impressed the Royal Challengers Bangalore team’s talent hunters and got the chance to fly to the UAE last year as one of their net bowlers.  While bowling as a net bowler in UAE, the legendary South African pacer Dale Steyn gave him some valuable tips.

Kumar Sangakkara -  Rajasthan Royals Director of Cricket Operations. Photo: Courtesy: IPL 

Sakariya has been so impressive in this year’s IPL that former Sri Lankan captain Kumar Sangakkara, who is also the Rajasthan Royals’ Director of Cricket Operations, said: “It speaks a lot about his (Sakariya’s) skill, his attitude. It is great to have him on the side. He is a simple guy. He has had his ups and downs in life, but he is here to enjoy his cricket. Our job is to support that. It was really good to see the control that he had, the change-ups. He picked the moments to bowl them.”

This is another instance of a cricketer, who despite his life's struggles, made it to the IPL,  and is now being talked about as an Indian team prospect.  IPL is truly a stage for those who chase their dreams through hard work and determination.