Interesting to read the posts here from PP members, with the kind of challenges they have to face to pursue their dreams.
I have a different story, My parents have been really supportive of what ever decision i take in life, as a child i wanted to be a doctor, they obviously didn't say no to that, then as i grew up (still a child though) i wanted to be a cricketer, though it was a hidden passion, my dad although he doesn't know much about sports or cricket, tried to get me into teams. Well then i moved from India, and my passion for cricket never died, but i didnt play cricket as much as i used to in India.
The next chapter begins, in another country, a foreign land, where football is more popular than cricket. For 5 odd years i believed Cricket didn't exist in this country, (as a child) i thought because people didn't play cricket in the streets or because football was more dominating, i didnt find a chance to play cricket. But during those 45 minute Sports Lessons, 3 Lessons a year where we played cricket, or well messed about. I would come out with pride, and happiness. The others in my class have barely played cricket, yet i used to have the best time of my life, it may have been just 2 hours 15 minutes of my year, but that was enough for me to wait another year to get a chance. But more often than not it rained, so the lessons were shortened.
5 years later, The 2011 WC came by, watching the games, i realised, that my passion has not died, it was sleeping, Cricket for me was pretty much everything, and i took it more seriously. I started searching for opportunities to play, I joined a club, and well in the training, my performance was absolutely shocking, with the bat and the ball. Well, as a 16 year old, i was put to play with 13 year olds. But i worked on it and improved every time i went training, I used to ignore "what people would have thought about me" and still went to train. But one thing i realised is, "Opportunity only knocks at your door once" is all bullsh*. Opportunity doesn't come to you, you have to make that opportunity. Because when i believed I cant play cricket here, i barely played. But when i went out looking for the opportunity to play, i was given so many chances, I found people to play with casually, then they recommended me to another team. I slowly am reviving my passion for cricket, which was not dead. It was in Coma.
Today, i see people who start cricket at a very young age and are more talented that me, but I have faith in myself to go on, i may be in my late-teens, but Cricket is given preference, i have sacrificed a lot for cricket, going to pointless training sessions on the eve of my exams, because i dont want to loose a opportunity. Because i believe that maybe that one session could make the difference in my life. I may not be the most-skilled but i have the passion to make it work. I realise the hard work that is needed. As a Indian, i can say, Cricket runs in my blood. And in the last few years, i know i have come a long way, but the journey ahead is a bumpy one. One foot at a time, and im sure ill come close!
After reading the posts, now i am grateful to have such great parents who support me so much, even when i go completely against their will.
International cricket?
though i can be erratic sometimes. I could have gone on to play for Pakistan but i moved to the US as a kid.
nvir
