Impact story · Gudibande
Hareesh Kumar
India international · With DMSA since 2018
Chasing a national cup on wheels
From playing cricket with family in Gudibande to representing India on the international stage, Hareesh Kumar has built a resilient path in wheelchair cricket, fuelled by a lifelong passion and support from DMSA.
Told in Hareesh’s own words
Chapter 1 · Roots
Early days and family roots
Hareesh grew up in Gudibande, with some of the fondest memories being cricket matches alongside a supportive father and elder brother — a love of the game that took root at home.
Polio and club foot were part of life, but the focus stayed on studies, daily routine and the simple, enduring joy of holding a bat.
My passion for cricket has been there since birth, and DMSA helped me play wheelchair cricket and represent my country.
Chapter 2 · Turning point
Discovering wheelchair cricket
Everything changed in 2018 at the Mysore Olympics, where Hareesh first saw wheelchair cricket and learned about Divyaang Myithri Sports Academy.
The competitive journey began straight away. Backyard games with family became a serious athletic pursuit inside a structured sporting community.
With DMSA
How DMSA stood with Hareesh
DMSA's backing turned a long-held dream of representing the country into reality. The academy provided a cricket kit and crucial help with travel costs, so money never stood in the way of international competition.
What DMSA provided
- A cricket kit for training and matches
- Help with travelling expenses for tournaments
- The chance to represent the country internationally
Chapter 3 · On the field
On the international pitch
Hareesh wore India's colours against Nepal and Bangladesh in 2019, and against Sri Lanka in 2024, sharing the pitch with teammates like Sagar and Shiva. Those matches brought immense pride and proved what years of practice can do.
2018
Discovered wheelchair cricket and DMSA
2019
India vs Nepal and Bangladesh
2024
India vs Sri Lanka
Scorecard
Hareesh Kumar- From
- Gudibande
- With DMSA since
- 2018
- For India
- Nepal and Bangladesh (2019), Sri Lanka (2024)
- Works as
- Executive, KUIDFC — for 15 years
- Dream
- A national cup for Karnataka
Chapter 4 · Life today
Beyond the boundary
Life off the field
Sport has brought recognition Hareesh never had before. People stop to ask about cricket, and the warmth and respect have built real pride and confidence.
Work and independence
Hareesh has worked as an executive at the Karnataka Urban Infrastructure Development and Finance Corporation (KUIDFC) for fifteen years, balancing a long career with rigorous cricket training.
Chapter 5 · Road ahead
Chasing the national cup
After coming close at recent nationals, the goal is to lift a national cup for Karnataka — and the determination is stronger than ever.
We reached close to the finals in the last nationals, and we will work hard to bring a national cup to Karnataka.
A message to you
We have been trying sincerely since 2018, and though we reached close to the finals in the last nationals, we want to keep trying hard to bring a national cup to Karnataka.
— Hareesh Kumar
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