NEW DELHI: Mahendra Singh Dhoni‘s guidance for young cricketers from behind the stumps is no secret. Be it in India colours or for his state team – Jharkhand – Dhoni’s watchful eyes and instructions helped multiple young cricketers.
Sumit Kumar, a young wicketkeeper-batsman from Bokaro in Jharkhand, idolises Dhoni. He has learnt from the former India captain first hand and is eager to walk on the same path as Dhoni.
Sumit, a 25-year-old wicket-keeper batsman, started playing cricket at the age of 10. He was introduced to a coaching centre by his father, who was a mechanic by profession. Sumit had to take a bus or sometimes walk for 7 to 8 kilometres to reach the coaching centre, but such was his passion for the game that it drove him towards his dream of becoming a cricketer. And Dhoni was a constant factor in his life, even then.
Sumit Kumar, a young wicketkeeper-batsman from Bokaro in Jharkhand, idolises Dhoni. He has learnt from the former India captain first hand and is eager to walk on the same path as Dhoni.
Sumit, a 25-year-old wicket-keeper batsman, started playing cricket at the age of 10. He was introduced to a coaching centre by his father, who was a mechanic by profession. Sumit had to take a bus or sometimes walk for 7 to 8 kilometres to reach the coaching centre, but such was his passion for the game that it drove him towards his dream of becoming a cricketer. And Dhoni was a constant factor in his life, even then.
Sumit Kumar (TOI Photo)
“It was not easy initially to take forward my cricketing career but my father was adamant that he wanted to make me a cricketer….