Impact story · Kushinagar, UP — now Bengaluru
Rakesh Kumar Singh
Bowler · Bengaluru Renegades, KWPL Season 3
Finding freedom and cricket on four wheels
From a quiet childhood in Uttar Pradesh to the grounds of Bengaluru, Rakesh Kumar Singh found a new rhythm through wheelchair cricket — turning a monotonous routine into a community of sport and shared joy.
Told in Rakesh’s own words
Chapter 1 · Roots
A childhood in Uttar Pradesh
Rakesh grew up in Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh — happy, peaceful years with a father who served in the CRPF and a shared love of watching cricket on television.
At five, a fever that lasted over a week changed everything. After an injection from someone in the village, Rakesh could no longer stand and the left hand became infected; treatment for polio began in Gorakhpur, sixty kilometres away. Life became a monotonous routine of school, study and job preparation — no sport, and little connection with the world outside.
Chapter 2 · Turning point
Discovering cricket on YouTube
Scrolling YouTube, Rakesh came across wheelchair cricket tournaments and reels. Searching for options in Bengaluru led to DMSA, and to the number of Shiva Prasad — whom everyone calls Anna.
A warm welcome followed, with an invitation to weekend practice at Shalini ground. Watching from the sidelines was over; every weekend now meant playing.
Playing cricket on a wheelchair is altogether a different experience which I got here while playing cricket on Shalini ground.
With DMSA
How DMSA stood with Rakesh
Playing cricket from a wheelchair takes immense effort — from the player and from others too. DMSA provided everything needed to play: sports wheelchairs, volunteers who help players get seated, kits and pads, a proper ground and a coach. The dream of playing cricket became a reality every weekend.
What DMSA provided
- Sports wheelchairs to play in
- Volunteers who help players get seated
- Playing kits and pads
- A ground and a coach
Chapter 3 · On the field
On the cricket field
At the Karnataka Wheelchair Premier League Season 3, Rakesh played for the Bengaluru Renegades as a bowler — a proud moment that brought real enjoyment and a true sense of belonging.
Once limited to watching on television, Rakesh now competes alongside fellow athletes, embracing every match with enthusiasm and pride.
Scorecard
Rakesh Kumar Singh- From
- Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh; now Bengaluru
- Plays as
- Bowler
- Team
- Bengaluru Renegades, KWPL Season 3
- Found DMSA
- Through YouTube
- Practises at
- Shalini ground, every weekend
Chapter 4 · Life today
Beyond the boundary
Life off the field
Before cricket, life felt monotonous and isolated. DMSA transformed Rakesh's weekends with happiness, energy and friendship — a supportive community of teammates who share the passion and understand the journey.
Work and independence
Today Rakesh balances professional goals with the game, aiming for new milestones in both, and finding happiness through steady dedication to work and sport.
Chapter 5 · Road ahead
Dreams for the future
Rakesh wants to keep playing and enjoying cricket while reaching new milestones on the field and at work — spreading happiness and encouraging greater inclusion for wheelchair users everywhere, so more people get the chance to live their dreams.
A message to you
DMSA is a great platform for enabling people on wheelchair to play cricket and make their dream come true. Such platforms should be encouraged so that more inclusiveness of people over all the places happens.
— Rakesh Kumar Singh
Every hero needed a start
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