Prakash Bhagat, a left-arm spinner who was once asked to bowl for the Indian team at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru is now selling tea to make ends meet. The former Indiandomestic cricketer and ex-Ranji star is running a food stall in Assam’s Silchar and fighting for his survival in these testing times.
Bhagat received a call from the NCA in 2003, asking him to come to Bengaluru immediately, where Sourav Ganguly and his team were preparing for the New Zealand tour. Prakash’s actionresembled that of New Zealand player Daniel Vettori and thus he used to bowl team India in practice.
The 34 year old ex-cricketer recalled his golden time and said, “I will never forget my experience of bowling to Sourav Ganguly. He was eager to face the challenges I’d put forwardwith my bowling. He gave me many tips also.”
Bhagat’s NCA invitation came as he had been able to make an impact in the under-17 Vijay Merchant Trophy. He had picked up seven wickets, including a hat-trick while during his playagainst Bihar.
When Bhagat was playing for his state team in the 2009/10 and 2010/11 seasons, he also tried his hand at Ranji cricket. Bhagat played Ranji games for Assam against the Railways and Jammu& Kashmir teams.
However, Bhagat was forced to leave cricket after his father died in 2011. He had pressure to support his poverty-stricken family, thus started running a fast food cart.
"I had to leave cricket in 2011 after my father died following a massive cardiac attack at the age of 65. My father and elder brother, Deepak Bhagat, used to sell 'chaat food'in a hand-driven cart. After my father's death, my elder brother also remains ill," said Bhagat.
Bhagat is married and has two children. As he fights poverty and supports family, the coronavirus hit and things got even worse. “What do I say. Half the fact is that we have alwaysbeen living in poverty but now it has gone even worse. Whatever we earn from the stall is hardly enough to even manage two meals a day,” said Bhagat.
“My teammates from the state with whom I shared the dressing room have all got government jobs and are well-settled while we struggle every day,” Bhagat shared his plight.
Bhagat had begun his cricket career by participating in Silchar District Sports Association's Under-13 tournament. He played matches for Under-16, Under-19, and Under-23 categories atthe state and national levels.
"My consistent performances in different lower-level matches helped me find a place in Assam's Ranji Trophy team. I was in the squad for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy as well. IfI get financial support for my family, I am keen to return to the cricket field again”, he added.