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- In the 1998 Blind World Cup, Bhalaji Damor performed brilliantly
- Bhalaji’s family earns only Rs 3,000 a month
- Bhalaji scored 3125 runs and took 150 wickets in 125 matches
Bhalaji Damore single-handedly led the Indian team to the semi-finals of the 1998 Blind Cricket World Cup. Now the same Bhalaji Damor is doing buffalo-goat grazing. Bhalaji’s financial condition is very bad and his family is barely surviving. They own a dilapidated one-room house as a place of residence.
Bhalaji played cricket at international level
Not many people have heard the name of Bhalaji Damor. Bhalaji has also played cricket at international level for Indian team but his life is not like that of cricketers like Kohli, Sehwag, Dhoni. Bhalaji Damore single-handedly led the Indian team to the semi-finals of the 1998 Blind Cricket World Cup. Now the same Bhalaji Damor is doing buffalo-goat grazing. At the same time, he does small jobs for a living. Bhalaji’s career record was impressive and he scored 3125 runs and took 150 wickets in 125 matches.
The then President praised
Bhalaji Damor, a resident of Piprana village in Aravalli district, is the highest wicket-taker for India in his category. Even when India lost to the South African team in the semi-final of the 1998 Blind World Cup match, the then president K.R. Narayan praised Bhalaji Damor’s excellent performance. While cricketers with normal eyesight get a lot of praise for taking wickets, Bhalaji bowled batsmen with ease despite being blind.
Bhalaji works in a one acre farm
Currently, Bhalaji Damor is also working in his one acre farm in Piparana village. His brother also has an equal share in this land. There is not enough income from their land to meet the basic needs of the family. His wife Anu also works in the fields of other people in the village. Bhalaji also has a 4-year-old son named Satish, who has normal eyes. The family has a dilapidated one-room house as a place of residence. The certificates and other awards received by Bhalaji as a cricketer are beautifully kept in this house.
Didn’t get job even through sports quota
Though Bhalaji made a certain name all over the world due to the game of cricket, but once he left the cricket field, his life became one long innings of troubles. He says that after the World Cup, he tried hard for a job, but could not get a job even through the sports quota.
Earned only Rs 3,000 per month
Sometimes Bhalaji goes to a nearby blind school to teach cricket to the students. For this he charges a very small amount. Bhalaji’s family can barely earn Rs 3,000 a month if all means of earning are combined. This amount is much less than the Rs 5,000 that Bhalaji received as a player 17 years ago in 1998. Even in his childhood, Bhalaji grazed only buffaloes and goats. Seeing his cricketing talent, people encouraged him to play local cricket tournaments. Now even after making a name in the game of cricket, he has to do the same work that he used to do before.
