City youth makes it to Oman team

Ajay Joshi

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, August 20

From playing gully cricket along streets of Kot Ramdas, Suraj Kumar (28) from the city has carved out a niche for himself.

In the recently held selections for International Cricket Council (ICC) tournament, Suraj has been selected as an opening batsman in the Oman cricket team.

A resident of Kot Ramdas Colony near Chuggiti bypass, Suraj had shifted to Muscat, Oman, in 2015, after he was selected in a professional cricket team by a multi-national company that conducts cricket tournaments.

Son of a fast food vendor, he was always devoted to playing cricket and had played several district and state-level matches.

His father said: “He was so passionate about playing cricket that he used to ride his bicycle for more than 10 km to reach his practice ground at Burlton Park in the city during his schooldays. In the past, he had also played several matches for the Patiala Electric Board and during a state-level match in Chandigarh, he was selected by the MNC after which he was included in a team in Muscat.”

His younger brother Sunny Singh said: “Though they belong to a poor family, Suraj has achieved this feat for himself and the family through his hard work and dedication.”

He said due to unavailability of a dedicated ground for practice, Suraj used to play on a plot, which was later converted into a ground.

Meanwhile, residents of Kotram Das Colony have put up his posters in the colony. Local politicians visited his home to congratulate his parents for the achievement.