Click to play videoMeerut: Violent protests and high crime rate - in public perception, this is the a recurring image of Meerut But now, this western UP town is celebrating the birth of a new sporting hero. With his sterling show Down Under, 21-year-old Praveen Kumar has given Meerut a reason to feel proud.
Says his father Sakat Singh, ”He has made me very proud today. In fact, he has made his city very proud. We are all very happy for him.”
Praveen’s nephew too can’t stop beaming. “Uncle has won the Man of the Match award. It’s simply great.”
Praveen family remembers him as a quiet child, focused on cricket. His elder brother Vinay talks of how Praveen would cycle 16 km daily to his cricket club, not wanting to miss one day of practice.
As trophies began to line the shelves of his home, the family was convinced Praveen was meant for cricketing glory.
Recalls his mother, Murti Devi, "Everyone who say him play asked us not to stop him. I realised he would make it big when he began taking to cricket after his High School.”
From his high-paying IPL contract to his four-wicket haul in Tuesday's series clincher, Praveen Kumar has come a long way. If he continues to perform consistently well in the future, his place in Dhoni's team will go unchallenged.
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