Macherla-born Ajay Kumar Reddy is one of the four Andhra Pradesh cricketers who helped India win the World Cup for the visually-challenged that was held at Sharjah recently. He is hopeful that his exploits will be recognised by the sports-loving Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu.

“I am happy as I was given the chance to lead the country and my 150-run partnership with Sunil Ramesh helped India lift the trophy. I made 62 runs,” said the bank officer, while interacting with the mediapersons here on Tuesday.

PM’s announcement

Mr. Ajay Kumar, who works with State Bank of India, said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who interacted with the team had announced ₹7 lakhs to each player. He added that the four AP players were planning to meet the sports officials and the CM to share their happiness.

Ajay Kumar was blind in his left eye from his birth and his efforts to play ‘normal’ cricket failed owing to his disability.

“But the visually-challenged format gave me the scope to climb the ladder of success and I am the skipper of the Indian team since 2016,” he said.

Hectic season ahead

This Guntur lad has a hectic season ahead as he will be preparing to play Sri Lanka in March and later he will be playing in a triangular series with Sri Lanka and England.

Durga Rao and Venkateswara Rao from Srikakulam and Prem Kumar from Kurnool played in the final in which India defeated Pakistan by two wickets.
Source: http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/this-guntur-lad-led-team-india-to-victory/article22598856.ece