CSK fast bowler Tushar Deshpande (IPL Image)
Born in a middle-class family, Tushar always had a dream of becoming a cricketer. He started playing when he was in fourth standard and gradually started practicing twice a day, while simultaneously doing his studies
The Indian Premier League (IPL) has been providing budding cricketers with opportunities to prove their worth over the years. In 2023, Maharashtra’s Tushar Deshpande grabbed everyone’s attention as he flourished well in the yellow jersey under the watchful eyes of MS Dhoni. The right-arm pacer became the first impact player in IPL history. Though his journey as CSK’s premier bowler didn’t start as impressive, he improved with every game and is now among the season’s top wicket-taker.
Born in a middle-class family, Tushar always had a dream of becoming a cricketer. He started playing when he was in fourth grade and gradually started practicing twice a day, while simultaneously doing his studies.
Tushar’s coach Samanini recalls how his ward developed the habit of playing in the sun. The former used to study outside in broad daylight and when asked why he would do so, his answer was simple. He wanted to play in the sun so he got used to it that way.
Even as the boy from a middle-class family rises to the top of his professional life, his humble upbringing helps him stay grounded. Tushar also has a similar story. Over the years his mother’s demise broke him down completely but his fighting spirit helped him overcome all odds and reach where he is at present.
Tushar’s mother had passed away two years ago. But he has inherited the fighting spirit and that is the reason why today he is at the top but his feet are firmly on the ground. Despite his success, he has not forgotten his mother’s words,” said Samanini.
It was his never-give-up attitude that made him continue his training even during the lockdown. He had requested to get a gym built in the ground itself. He brought all his equipment to the welfare ground where he used to practice and asked all his fellow players to use the facility.
His coach said, “Whenever he is in Kalyan, he practices at the Vale Nagar ground and uses this gym.”
Tushar’s father, Uday Deshpande, fondly remembers his son’s hard work, recalling how he managed to break into Maharashtra’s professional cricket circuit without shifting his base to Mumbai.
He said, ‘To become a cricketer one has to work hard. I used to play cricket as a child but I never thought that one day I would become a professional player.
“But after Class X, he decided to take up cricket as his career. A player is needed to give five-six years to this game and he also has to give that much time to cricket. He used to work hard in the cricket ground of Kalyan. He was a student of KC Vidyalaya and even his school encouraged him. So there was no need to go to Mumbai and enroll in any school there.
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Tushar has played in the IPL for the last three seasons but this year he has emerged as one of the key players in the CSK camp. Having made his first-class debut for Mumbai in 2016, he has so far played 29 matches and taken 80 wickets with best figures of 6 for 70.
“Tushar is a good hearted person. He is fondly remembered by the ground staff of Vayle Nagar ground. I don’t know what he wants but all the gardeners in this field know what he wants. As a father, I am proud of him,” said Tushar’s father.