Prakash Bhagat, a former Indian domestic cricketer and ex-Ranji player from Assam is reportedly running a food stall in Silchar to feed his family.
According to a report by news agency IANS, Bhagat, who once bowled to legendary Sourav Ganguly during his memorable stint at the famous National Cricket Academy (NCA), now sells ‘dal puri’ at a roadside stll at Itkhola in Silchar for the survival of his six-member family.
The 34-years-old left-arm spinner and right-handed batsman said that as a member of the Assam team, he had played Ranji Trophy matches in 2009/10 and 2010/11 against the Railways and Jammu and Kashmir teams.
He had also taken a month-long training in the Bengaluru-based National Cricket Academy (NCA) in 2003.
During his NCA stint in 2003, Bhagat had bowled to then captain Ganguly and the Assam cricketer also met Sachin Tendulkar, Zaheer Khan, Harbhajan Singh and Virender Sehwag.
“I had to leave cricket in 2011 after my father (Gajadhar Bhagat) died following a massive cardiac attack. My father and elder brother, Deepak Bhagat, used to sell ‘chaat food’ in a hand-driven cart. After my father’s death, my elder brother also remains ill,” Bhagat told IANS.
Bhagat is married and has two small children.
Bhagat, who was working in a mobile phone company had lost his job due to COVID-19 induced lockdown last year.
Bhagat started his cricket career in 1999 when he participated in the Silchar District Sports Association’s Under-13 tournament. He played several tournaments in the Under-16, Under-19, and Under-23 categories at the state and national levels.
“My consistent performances in different lower-level matches helped me find a place in Assam’s Ranji Trophy team. I was in the squad for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy as well,” he was quoted as saying by the news agency.
Bhagat said that if the Assam Cricket Association (ACA) extends assistance to him financially, he could still resume his cricketing career.
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