“From 21 Rupees to World Cup Hero: The Untold Story

The Inspirational Journey of Raghavendra Dwivedi: From 21 Rupees to World Cup Glory

A young boy from a small village called Kunta in Uttara Kannada district, Raghavendra Dwivedi, set out on an extraordinary journey with just 21 rupees in his pocket. Today, he stands as one of the key figures behind India’s World Cup victory, earning admiration from cricket legends and fans alike.

During the 2017 Champions Trophy, Virat Kohli remarked, “This man’s role in my success today is huge, but his efforts are invisible to the common world.” The man Kohli was referring to is Raghavendra Dwivedi, the Indian cricket team’s throwdown specialist. Raghu, as he is fondly known, is the backbone of the team during practice sessions, constantly bowling to India’s legendary batsmen.

Raghavendra’s story is one of passion, resilience, and unwavering dedication. His love for cricket began in childhood, but a broken arm shattered his dream of playing the sport professionally. Despite this setback, he refused to give up. His father, unable to tolerate Raghu’s obsession with cricket, once posed an ultimatum: “Do you want a house, education, life, or cricket?” Without hesitation, Raghu chose cricket and left home with only ₹21.

He spent a week sleeping at the bus stand in Hubli, only to be chased away by the police. He then took refuge in a nearby temple for ten days before eventually living in a graveyard for four and a half years. Throughout these hardships, his passion for cricket remained unshaken. He focused on cricket coaching, helping cricketers in Hubli by throwing balls during their practice sessions.

A friend noticed Raghu’s dedication and took him to the Karnataka Institute of Cricket in Bangalore. His job there was to throw balls to the Karnataka cricketers and assist with the bowling machine. One day, his persistence caught the eye of Tilak Naidu, a former Karnataka wicketkeeper and the current under-19 selection committee chief. Impressed by Raghu’s dedication, Naidu introduced him to former Karnataka cricketer Javagal Srinath, which became a turning point in Raghu’s life.

Recognizing Raghu’s sincerity, Srinath invited him to join the Karnataka Ranji team. Raghu worked with the team during the cricket season and served at the National Cricket Academy near the Chinnaswamy Stadium. Despite working without earning a penny for 3-4 years and often going without food, Raghu’s dedication to cricket never wavered.

He completed the BCCI Level-1 coaching course while at the National Cricket Academy and became a favorite among the Indian team cricketers who came to practice. His hard work did not go unnoticed. Sachin Tendulkar, recognizing Raghu’s talent, facilitated his appointment as the Indian team’s coaching assistant in 2011. Since then, Raghu has played a vital role in the team’s success for the past 13 years.

Raghavendra may not be a player on the team, but his contributions are immense. His tireless efforts behind the scenes have earned him respect and admiration from players and coaches alike. Virat Kohli once said, “Facing Raghu’s 150 kph deliveries in the nets makes fast bowlers on real pitches look like medium-pace bowlers.”

Raghavendra Dwivedi’s journey from a boy with just 21 rupees to a key figure in India’s World Cup victory is a testament to his dedication, passion, and resilience. His story is a reminder that with unwavering determination and hard work, one can overcome any obstacle and achieve greatness.