“I am not a disabled person. I am a capable person. This is what I had told to myself when I decided to pursue a career in para-sports.

Like the majority of people, I always loved playing cricket. In fact, I started to play more after I lost one of my hands in an unfortunate accident 18 years back. I fell from a roof one day and injured my right hand badly. Due to wrong treatment at home, it got infected and the doctors had to amputate my right hand. It was indeed a major setback in my life, however, I never lost hope.

From a young age, I used to play local league matches representing Hyderabad. I trained myself by playing these games and also practised at the grounds in my hometown Muduchinthapally. I have always admired the Indian cricket team and hoped that one day I would at least be a part of the state team. Today, I think I was able to achieve my dream and represent team India in disabled cricket. Moreover, I was appointed as the captain of the test team of India in disabled cricket.

This is the first International ‘Test match’ in disabled cricket played between India and Bangladesh at Lal Bahadur Shastri Stadium and I am happy to be a part of this historic match.

Regardless of the reason, losing a limb is never easy. Both mentally and physically, amputation can negatively affect a person and inevitably changes their life as well as the lives of their loved ones. While it may not be a cakewalk, life after amputation is simply a matter of finding a new routine – a new normal. I must thank my coaches, training staff, friends and parents. They took me to the local grounds where we used to play. They forced me to play with them just the way I used to do. I also thank the officials of the Board of Disabled Cricket Association who were the main reason why I am still playing the sport at the International level. I have played more than 80 first-class matches including the state and national level tournaments.

Going forward, I only hope that we could get receive more support and recognition as a spokesperson from the government and sports authorities in the country. I wish that one day, our matches could be telecasted live on national television so that my parents could feel proud of me for representing our country.”