10 years ago, 30-year-old Imran Sheikh slammed crucial half centuries that helped India win the deaf and mute cricket World Cup. Three years ago, he became the captain of the deaf and mute Indian cricket team. But now Imran sells kachoris to make a living.
Imran started selling kachoris a week ago at Old Padra Road in Vadodara to make ends meet. "Cricket is my passion and I want to keep playing. But my financial condition is not good enough to support my family . Playing deaf and mute cricket matches doesn't earn me much money. So I started a nutritious kachori stall with the help of my wife Roza for earning extra income. I also got a temporary job in Gujarat Refinery, thanks to my coach Nitendra Singh," Imran told an English daily in sign language.
He last captained the Indian deaf and mute team in the Asia Cup T20 tournament in April this year, reports the daily.
Imran started playing cricket at the age of 15. "I used to watch matches on television and later began playing at Bhutadizampa ground. But my coach Nitendra Singh mentored me for higher level of cricket. I got into Gujarat team and then in Indian team," Imran recalled.
He had scored 70 against Nepal, 60 against New Zealand and then a match winning 62 against Pakistan in the 2005 deaf-mute World Cup semifinals.
Then in the finals against England, Imran scored a valuable 40 and took three wickets to help India to the title.
But Imran is no longer interested in playing cricket, as opportunities are not forthcoming.
Imran's wife also praised the people of Vadodara for supporting him by flocking to his kachori stall. "We recently moved out of our family house. Barodians have been very supportive and queuing up to eat at our stall. We would be glad if the local government helps us get a permanent place for our eatery," she said.
