Deepak Malik

23 year old Deepak Malik was born in a village in Sonepat in Haryana in 1995. His parents, Mrs Sudesh and Mr Hava Singh have two more children, both girls. Deepak had normal eyesight and studied in a normal school in the initial years of his life till that fateful day in Diwali 2004 when a rocket that was set off pierced through his right eye and made it completely blind. The left eye too was affected to an extent and his vision in this eye is relatively weak. He was 9 years old at that time. After recouping from this injury he continued his studies in a normal school till the sixth class. He shifted to Delhi in 2008 and was admitted to The Institute for the Blind. He is now in the 12th Class. It was in Delhi that Cricket beckoned him. He watched many cricket matches and watched with boyish wonder the praises that cricket stars like Sachin, Dravid and others got from the public and in the media. These were the idols of Indian Cricket and young Deepak was awe-struck. They had achieved all this glory and fame through playing for the country and performing so well. Deepak felt that he too should do something for the country in Cricket. He often dreamt of being in the team for India and winning the World Cup, a dream that got fulfilled in the coming years, albeit in the World Cup for the Blind. It was in Delhi that he learnt about Cricket for the Blind from his sports coach. He had seen matches being played among blind cricketers and asked why the balls were bowled underarm. The coach explained this, and thus started Deepak’s foray into understanding and playing cricket for the blind. The coach explained all the rules in this form of cricket and how it is played, but discouraged him and told him to focus on his studies. But Deepak was not one to be deterred. Many of his well-wishers told him to take up some other popular sports, like Kabbadi and Athletics, but Deepak did not buckle under this pressure. He persisted in his quest. Many people supported his decision and encouraged him. A star was in the making. Around this time there was an inter-school tournament in which young Deepak played very well and was adjudged Best Batsman. He was noticed by the right persons and started playing in larger tournaments. NP Singh, who was MS Dhoni’s coach, was also there and recognised his talent and potential. He took on the young lad under his umbrella and Deepak has since been coached by NP Singh. Did he meet Dhoni any time? Yes, says Deepak and added that he even practiced with him in the nets. In conversations with Dhoni, Deepak talked about the problems that blind cricketers face – lack of grounds , lack of facilities, lack of proper kits. Of course Samarthanam and CABI are doing a lot to support them , but that is not enough. State Governments and Centre have to provide them the right infrastructure conducive to playing good cricket. BCCI can also help – this too is cricket! As of now help comes through Samarthanam and CABI. And of course the strenuous effort of managers like David and Shaji in coaching and encouraging them. Deepak has been categorised as B3. He is recognised as the Fastest Bowler in Blind Cricket in the World, with a speed of 140 Kms per hour. His batting position is not fixed. He is a hitter and steps in whenever it is required to step up the run rate. He holds the record for the fastest 50, achieved in just 17 balls in the ODI semi final against Sri Lanka in 204. In a zonal match he once took 8 wickets for 3 runs, his career best. He has won gold medals in 100 and 200 meters athletics. What is his best 100 mtrs sprint timing? 11.3 seconds, he says. A record in his category. He was part of the 3rd T20 World Cup 2022 winning team and he recently took part in the IBSA world Games 2023 at Birmingham and won silver. What does he plan for his future? Continue in Cricket in some way or other. Maybe cricket administration? But whatever happens he will not leave cricket. Jab tak mai rahoonga tab tak mai Cricket se joda rahoonga. Till I am alive I will be associated with Cricket.

• Hometown Haryana
• Category B3