School drop-outs and pro contracts: For cricketers, big bucks an incentive and potential pitfall

An Express Investigation: For the last couple of months, 15 reporters gathered data about all of India’s Asian Games medallists in Hangzhou. The analysis provided a few clear-cut trends and some fascinating journeys of athletes that highlight those.

16 — Number of players across men’s and women’s teams, 8 each, who quit studies after Class 10 or 12

In many ways, Tilak Varma epitomises the Indian cricket teams that clinched gold at the Asian Games. Like most batsmen, he too comes from a metro city. Like most of his teammates, hails from a humble background where spending on sports was beyond their parents’ reach. Education is considered the gold dust.

But as luck would have it, his talent would be spotted by an academy coach Salam Bayash, who would take care of all his cricketing expenses. The presence of a huge financial package, allowed him to pursue the sport with total focus, with the studies taking a back seat.

With plenty of cricket to play across formats, it is a fair reflection of their growing-up years. Unlike some in the previous era or like their senior teammates, who managed to graduate, they don’t have that luxury now.

Well done #TeamIndia! 🇮🇳

The @Ruutu1331-led side clinch a Gold 🥇 Medal at the Asian Games! 👏👏#IndiaAtAG22 | #AsianGames pic.twitter.com/UUcKNzrk0N

— BCCI (@BCCI) October 7, 2023

Coming from a state unit that is tangled in plenty of troubles, the road was not the easiest for Varma. That he has managed to overcome all these hurdles means, he is already being looked up to by a couple of junior cricketers from Hyderabad, who are part of the U19 World Cup team. From Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Yashasvi Jaiswal – who like Varma were part of the U-19 team and made it to the senior level in no time are yet to become graduates.

Their parents, most from modest backgrounds, instead of forcing them to take up studies as a priority, let them follow their passion. It is the same with the women’s team where even daily wagers, too, encouraged their daughters to take up the sport, fully aware financial gain may not be secure.

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