Impact story · Bengaluru
Kalla Praveen Kumar
Wheelchair cricketer · State Bank of India
Bringing dedication to wheelchair cricket
Balancing a bank career with rigorous daily practice, Kalla Praveen Kumar has found a community and a path in wheelchair cricket — driven by a resolute dream to represent India.
Told in Praveen’s own words
Chapter 1 · Roots
Building strength through family
Praveen grew up in a household of five, living with polio in both legs. Before cricket, life meant daily challenges and hard work, with family as a steady anchor.
Today Praveen shares a home with a wife who also has a disability, and two daughters, Manvita and Shanvi, in the seventh and second classes — balancing home and work with quiet determination.
Chapter 2 · Turning point
Discovering the game
Friends working in Bengaluru introduced Praveen to Divyaang Myithri Sports Academy. Stepping onto the ground to play wheelchair cricket for the first time opened a world of excitement and possibility.
Waiting eagerly for weekend practice soon became a daily commitment — training became the focal point of life alongside work.
I work at SBI Bank, and I practice daily from seven to eight-thirty.
With DMSA
How DMSA stood with Praveen
DMSA became a vital pillar of Praveen's cricketing journey: travel sponsorship, structured practice and dedicated coaching. Beyond logistics came something more personal — regular phone calls checking on practice and offering tailored guidance, so Praveen never had to develop as an athlete alone.
What DMSA provided
- Travel sponsorship for tournaments
- Dedicated coaching and practice sessions
- Daily phone calls to track practice
Chapter 3 · On the field
The pitch and the practice
On 8 April 2023 in Tumakuru, an exceptional performance earned Praveen the Best Bowler award.
Practice is non-negotiable: seven until eight-thirty every evening, whatever the demands of a banking career, sharpening bowling skills for tournaments across the region.
Best Bowler
Tumakuru, 8 April 2023
7–8:30
Practice every evening after work
Scorecard
Kalla Praveen Kumar- From
- Bengaluru
- Best moment
- Best Bowler award, Tumakuru, 8 April 2023
- Practice
- Every evening, 7 to 8:30, after work
- Works at
- State Bank of India
- Dream
- To play for India
Chapter 4 · Life today
Beyond the boundary
Life off the field
Cricket has brought a new routine, energy and outlook. Balancing a bank career with evening practice has built remarkable self-discipline, and the camaraderie at DMSA has renewed Praveen's confidence — something family and friends see first-hand.
Work and independence
Working at SBI brings financial independence and stability. Managing it alongside daily practice takes exceptional time management and resilience.
Chapter 5 · Road ahead
Representing the nation
The aspiration is clear: to see the Board of Control for Cricket in India accept wheelchair cricket, and to represent the Indian national team. Every evening session is a building block towards it.
DMSA helps a lot with travel sponsorships, practice, and personal coaching calls.
A message to you
DMSA always supports everyone, and everyone should use this opportunity.
— Kalla Praveen Kumar
Every hero needed a start
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