Shubham Dubey: A story from Rags to Riches

 

 

 

 

 

THE IPL auction often rewards the uncapped Indian cricketers with life changing contracts and it was no different for Vidarbha’s Shubham Dubey, on Tuesday. The hard hitting batter was fetched for Rs 5.80 crore by Rajasthan Royals after an intense long and exhilarating bidding battle against Delhi Capitals. In the end it was Rajasthan Royals who had the last laugh taking away the Nagpur cricketer under their wings. Dubey’s is a Rags to Riches story. The hard-hitting batter from Vidarbha, grew up in a poor family in Vaishali Nagar, north Nagpur and barely managed to purchase a cricket kit. Those were the days when Shubham used to play with borrowed kits. Dubey then came to know about late Advocate Sudeep Jaiswal, who used to run Advocate XI Cricket Club. The benevolent Adv Jaiswal took care of Shubham — from his cricketing gears to -- at times-- caring about his diet. And Shubham did not forget to thank his first mentor and father-figure Adv Jaiswal. “Whatever I am today, it is because of Adv Sudeep Jaiswal. He was a God-sent angel. From purchasing kits, costly bats to taking care of my diet.

 

Jaiswal sir did not let me go empty handed,” Dubey who plays for Eleven Star Cricket Club in Vidarbha Cricket Association’s leagues, told ‘The Hitavada’. “My family’s financial condition was very weak when I started playing cricket and Sudeep sir helped me a lot. Had it not been for Sudeep sir, I wouldn’t have reached this far,” admitted Dubey. “Sudeep sir gave me the opportunity to play for his team and also asked me to lead the side in local competitions. That gave me a lot of confidence,” added Dubey, whose mother Jayshree is a housewife and father Badriprasad does petty work. Dubey also recalled days when he used to play tennis ball cricket to earn money so that he could help his family. “Once Aniruddha Chore (former Vidarbha stumper) introduced me to the Times Shield (in Mumbai) tournament where I used to earn Rs 10,000 per month. That helped me earn a livelihood. I played in Mumbai for six months and then came back and played tennis ball cricket in and around Vidarbha.

 

That helped me win man of the match awards in cash. In a way that was my earning,” narrated Dubey. “Rohit bhai (Rohit Kaisalwar) helped me a lot. He motivated me a lot and used to inform me about tennis ball tournaments in Vidarbha and central India. Even at the Royal Cricket Association Club, I got a free hand while training in nets. I also thank Irfan sir (Irfan Rajjak) for his timely help,” the left-handed batter said. Dubey’s life changed when he got selected to play for Vidarbha teams. “Financial stability has come since I started playing for Vidarbha. The match fee and other financial assistance from Vidarbha helped me a lot. This IPL opportunity is because of VCA officials. I will not let anybody down and will give my best and will perform to the best of my abilities,” concluded Dubey.