In the latest update, the left-arm spinner who was once called to bowl to the Indian team at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru, Prakash Bhagat was seen selling tea and fast food to make ends meet.
Prakash Bhagat Bowled To Sourav Ganguly
As per the latest reports, Prakash Bhagat got a call from the NCA back in 2003. They asked him to report immediately in Bengaluru where Sourav Ganguly and his team were preparing for the New Zealand tour. At that time, Ganguly wanted a left-arm spinner whose action resembled “Vettori” to bowl to his teammates.
Talking to the media, he said that he will never forget his experience of bowling to Sourav Ganguly. He recalled that he was eager to face the challenges that would be put forward with his bowling. Meanwhile, Sourav Ganguly also gave him several tips.
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His NCA invitation came after he played the under-17 Vijay Merchant Trophy. He played the match for Assam against Bihar and picked up seven wickets including a hat-trick.
Following this, he continued to represent Assam in almost every age-group tournament. He finally played the Ranji Trophy for two sessions (2009-2010 and 2010-2011) besides being chosen in the squad for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
Covid 19 Made Things Worse For Prakash Bhagat and His Family
As Bhagat spoke to the media about his experiences, he informed that his father died in 2011. Following this, the family’s responsibility fell on to his shoulders and his elder brother who was running a tea shop in Silchar. However, the Covid 19 pandemic and the lockdowns, made the situation worse for them as people started to avoid street food which soured their income.
He said that they have been living hand to mouth but the situation has gotten worse. With what they earn currently, they are hardly able to earn two meals a day. Bhagat said that his teammates from the state have all gotten government jobs but they are struggling everyday.
