Tsunami survivor bats his way to top league

Having taken up fishing at the tender age of 12, shouldering the onus of being the sole bread-winner in the family, Das had a horrid time rebuilding his life. 

“With a bed-ridden father, I took up fishing to support my family. I have five sisters and the responsibility was huge,” said Das. “When we lost everything, except our house, we were shell shocked for months,” he adds.When the disaster struck, it made me understand that life is not easy.” 

Das, who dropped out of school after Class 7, loved cricket. “I wanted to come back with a vengeance and prove that I can make it big. After years of planning, I decided to be a cricketer,” the 27-year-old added. 

Das made Chennai his home at the age of 18 to pursue a career in cricket. “I had no money and my friends sponsored my travel and kits and sent me to Chennai. I struggled for five years and I finally got a break when I scored 40-odd runs in a district match at Chepauk,” he said. 

There was no looking back for Das since then. Climbing up the success ladder, Das rose up the ranks and started playing cricket in the first division league for MRF. 

“That was my initial tryst with a big tournament. My joy knew no bounds when I was selected to play for the state in the Ranji Trophy. It is a lovely feeling to realise that I am living my dream,” the all-rounder added. 

Das is happy to be a role model and says he has proved a point by making budding cricketers realise that one can still make it big without a rich background. “I am active on social networks and love to help anyone who needs it,” he said. 

Fishing is his bread and butter. “It gave me a life and after cricket, I will be a proud fisherman in the sea after the TNPL,” Das concludes.