Mangesh Yadav, a 23-year-old fast bowler from Madhya Pradesh, rose from humble beginnings to secure a ₹5.2 crore contract with Royal Challengers Bengaluru. His father’s sacrifices, early struggles in Delhi, and guidance from coach Phool Chand Sharma shaped his journey. Strong performances in domestic leagues and trials led to his breakthrough, fulfilling his family’s dream.

Bengaluru: Before Mangesh Yadav ever bowled a ball in professional cricket, his father Ramavadh Yadav would work through the night, wondering how he would find money for his son’s dream. He invested everything he had on a boy who first played cricket in a small courtyard with his mother. Mangesh Yadav now holds an INR 5.2 crore contract with defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

Reflecting on their financial woes, Mangesh’s father said, “I had to struggle a lot for money. Sometimes I couldn’t sleep at night, thinking about how I would raise money for him. The life of a truck driver is no life at all. You don’t have time to eat or bathe. When the truck is full, you worry about offloading, and when it’s empty, you have to worry about filling it up.”

The 23-year-old from Borgaon in Madhya Pradesh’s Chhindwara district grew up playing cricket in modest surroundings. It was his uncle who first spotted his potential at tennis ball tournaments and encouraged him to travel to Delhi to train under coach Phool Chand Sharma.

The 23-year-old said, “If I am playing cricket today it is because of Phool Chand sir.”