The nation has counted every run scored by Sachin Tendulkar over a period of 24 years. The country has sighed in deep despair whenever India have lost a series abroad and has exulted in joy when the Indian cricket team recorded a victory, even if it was against a lacklustre Bangladesh team.
Shekar Naik, the Indian Blind Cricket Captain, living under the shadows of the more famed Men in Blue, has the tag of a world champion associated with him. He, after all, led India to the world title in 2012, when the Indian team defeated England in the first ever T20 Blind World tournament held in Bangalore.
28 years ago, Naik was born in Karnataka and was completely blind at birth. The school boy who had never heard about cricket until then, was introduced to the sport by his school and soon took a liking to the game despite being teased by others.
In 1998, at the young age of 12, Naik promised his mother that he would conquer the cricket field one day. His mother died soon after, but he never forgot his words as he grew up to fulfill his dreams. He took the field to help erase the depression of his mother’s death. His mother's words and encouragement motivated him as he desired to be the number one batsman in the world one day.
With the turn of the millennium, there was a change in Naik’s fortunes as well. In 2000, while playing a school tournament, he scored 136 in 46 balls, which got him noticed and he was selected for the Karnataka State Cricket Team (Blind). In the final match against Kerala, he smashed 249 in a one-day match, helping his side to victory.
In 2004, the Indian blind team made its first international tour to Pakistan, where the Karnataka-lad amassed his highest international score of 198* runs in Rawalpindi.
In a span of two years, the cricketer bagged 7 Man of the Match awards, including two in England. In 2006, the Indian team lost the World Cup finals to Pakistan, but Naik had made his presence felt as he was named the Man of the Tournament and the best batsman in the tourney.
The cricketer in his career spanning 12 years has played 58 matches across all formats and has a staggering 32 centuries to his name. A feat which seems impossible for the men bestowed with sight to achieve.
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