Impact story · Yadgir, Karnataka
Bavaraj
Karnataka state player · IT professional
From Yadgir to state-level cricket and an IT career
Bavaraj found wheelchair cricket through a friend and DMSA, rising from village matches to the Karnataka state team. Balancing an IT career with weekend practice, Bavaraj has one dream: to represent India.
Told in Bavaraj’s own words
Chapter 1 · Roots
Early life in Yadgir
Bavaraj grew up in Yadgir in a close-knit family of seven siblings and relatives, having lost both parents. Around the first standard, polio took the use of both legs.
Childhood was anchored by a love of sport — and of MS Dhoni, which drew Bavaraj to cricket. By the seventh standard Bavaraj was playing with friends in the village, then in school and college matches, with friends offering immense support.
I have been playing cricket since I was a child and now I am proud to play at the state level for Karnataka.
Chapter 2 · Turning point
Discovering wheelchair cricket
A friend, Abhishek, connected Bavaraj with Shiva Prasad of DMSA, who shared the academy's location and welcomed Bavaraj in.
On the practice ground for the first time, Bavaraj found a structured environment built for para-athletes — and moved from village games to proper training.
With DMSA
How DMSA stood with Bavaraj
DMSA provided bats, balls and full kits, and specialised wheelchairs — a NeoMotion and a sports wheelchair — so Bavaraj could train safely. Regular practice every Saturday and Sunday gave the platform to sharpen skills and step up to state-level competition.
What DMSA provided
- NeoMotion and sports wheelchairs
- Cricket bats, balls and kits
- Practice sessions every Saturday and Sunday
Chapter 3 · On the field
Rising through the ranks
For the last two years Bavaraj has represented Karnataka's state wheelchair cricket team, and has played in the ASL.
A proudest moment came in an important semifinal, when the captain handed Bavaraj the ball and three crucial wickets followed. Bavaraj is now adding wicket-keeping to the game.
2
Years playing for Karnataka
3
Wickets in a semifinal
Scorecard
Bavaraj- From
- Yadgir, Karnataka
- Plays for
- The Karnataka state team
- Skills
- Batting, bowling, and now wicket-keeping
- Works in
- IT, at Alpha Private Limited (previously TCS)
- Dream
- To play for India
Chapter 4 · Life today
Beyond the boundary
Life off the field
Wheelchair cricket has filled Bavaraj with confidence and joy. Reaching state level opened a new world of recognition and friendship, and family and friends are immensely proud. At work and in everyday life, Bavaraj is treated with complete equality and respect.
Work and independence
Bavaraj worked at Tata Consultancy Services before moving to an IT role at Alpha Private Limited — working Monday to Friday and giving weekends to cricket practice at DMSA.
Chapter 5 · Road ahead
Chasing the national dream
With two years of state-level experience, Bavaraj's single focus is to wear the national jersey and represent India, training every weekend on batting, bowling and wicket-keeping.
My only big dream is to play for the India wheelchair cricket team in wheelchair cricket.
A message to you
DMSA helps everyone equally and treats all people with complete fairness, without any discrimination based on who they are.
— Bavaraj
Every hero needed a start
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