There was a time when parents were hesitant to let their children pursue cricket as a career. Concerns about low pay, injury risks, and uncertain futures after retirement were common. However, the scenario has changed dramatically. Cricketers are now among the richest sportspersons globally, with substantial salaries and lucrative brand endorsements.
Today, many parents actively encourage their children to pursue cricket. Here are five young Indian cricketers who owe their success to the unwavering support of their fathers.
1. Harshit Rana
Harshit Rana received his maiden national call-up this month. Initially, he was included in the T20I squad for the Zimbabwe tour as a replacement for Nitish Kumar Reddy, and later, he earned a spot in the ODI squad for the upcoming series against Sri Lanka.
After earning his ODI team place, Harshit thanked his father with a heartfelt Instagram post. In an interview with PTI, Harshit revealed how his father supported him through tough times:
“I believed in working hard but whenever I used to get hurt after being overlooked in age-group teams, I would sit in my room and start sobbing. My father Pradeep never ever gave up hope.”
Harshit credited his father, Pradeep Rana, along with coaches Amit Bhandari and Gautam Gambhir, for his successful journey.
2. Shubman Gill
Shubman Gill’s father, Lakhwinder, worked as a farmer. Hailing from the Fazilka area of Punjab, Shubman is now the vice-captain of the Indian T20I team and the captain of the Gujarat Titans IPL team.
Lakhwinder relocated 300 km from Chak Khere Wala to Mohali in 2007 to ensure Shubman received proper training. He sacrificed work and family events for Shubman’s future, and now, his son is a world-class cricketer.
3. Nitish Kumar Reddy
Nitish Kumar Reddy was selected for India’s T20I squad for the recent series against Zimbabwe but missed out due to an injury. Reddy earned his place after winning the Emerging Player of the Season award in IPL 2024.
Coming from a middle-class family in Visakhapatnam, Nitish’s father, Mutyala Reddy, left his job when Nitish was just eight to support his cricketing dreams.
“Amid all the criticism, my father somehow believed that his son is going to make big,” Nitish shared in an interview with News18 CricketNext. Now, successful, Nitish and his father receive praise from those who once criticized them.
4. Sarfaraz Khan
Sarfaraz Khan made a name for himself in IPL 2015 with impressive performances for Royal Challengers Bangalore. While his IPL career had ups and downs, he excelled in first-class cricket and debuted in India’s Test team this year.
Sarfaraz credited his father, Naushad Khan, who had been nurturing his talent since he was six. Naushad, who ran a cricket club, dedicated his life to making Sarfaraz a successful cricketer.
5. Abhishek Sharma
Abhishek Sharma’s father, Rajkumar, played a significant role in his son’s cricketing journey. Rajkumar supported Abhishek through all his ups and downs.
After getting out for a duck on his T20I debut against Zimbabwe, Rajkumar reminded him of his six-hitting ability, which motivated Abhishek to score a century in his second T20I. During IPL 2024, Abhishek helped Sunrisers Hyderabad reach the final, crediting his father’s encouragement to work hard on his bowling over the last two years.
These stories highlight the crucial role fathers play in the success of their children, especially in the world of cricket. Their unwavering support, sacrifices, and encouragement have been instrumental in shaping these young cricketers’ careers.
