When one is determined and is ready to pass any hurdle to chase his dreams, no one can take away his success. Such is the story of Imran Sheikh. He is the captain of Indian deaf and mute cricket and is often known as ‘Dhoni’ of Indian mute and deaf cricket team. Imran Sheikh can neither hear nor speak but his dream spoke everything.
The 32 year old captain and her wife Rozia had just one wish, to open a cricket academy. To achieve this dream, they both workd very hard for years and finally, they were able to achieve it on Thursday. He looked very happy and said in sign language, “I will work hard and make strong deaf and mute cricketers so that they do not stay behind in any game of life.”
The all-rounder has been part of the Indian deaf and mute cricket team for a long time and off late is the captain of the team side. Under his captaincy, the side has won many major international tournaments, including the 2017 Asia cup most recently. He was also part of the winning side of the 2005 world cup.
Despite all his achievements and the pride he has brought to India, Imran is the only earning member in his family, has to struggle a lot. He, along with wife Rozia, has been selling sprout salad to the morning walkers at Sayaji garden. On their current situation, Rozia said, “Though he is known as Dhoni of Indian deaf and mute cricket team and is playing for almost 15 years, we have always struggled to run our home. We together have been selling chaat to earn our livelihood and chase Imran’s dream.”
But then they met Tushar Patel who runs a school, which changed their lives for good. He offered his schools playground to Sheikh for his cricket academy. He said “I met Imran during a sport event. He, along with his wife, was selling chaat there. During interaction, I came to know that he is the captain of Indian deaf and mute cricket team and nurturing a dream to start an academy, for which he is saving money. I was moved by his story.”