ICC Cricket World Cup 2023: The Rs 275 Problem That Launched Rohit Sharma’s Career in 1999

Rohit Sharma will captain the biggest match of his career yet on Sunday when India face off against Australia in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday.

Sharma’s journey of the proverbial thousand miles started with one small step in 1999. Ironically, India’s opening batter was an off-spinner then. Playing for a school tournament, Sharma managed to impress coach Dinesh Lad who asked to meet the young man’s parents.

But Sharma was then staying with his uncle and grandparents in Borivali, while his parents were 50 km away in Dombivali. The young cricketer instead introduced his uncle Ravi to Lad, who insisted that the boy be admitted to the Swami Vivekanand School where he coached.

When the young Rohit Sharma and his uncle went to the school to complete joining formalities, they were informed that the fees would be Rs 275, a steep amount for the family back then.

“His uncle told me that the school where he was studying charged only Rs 30, and that they couldn’t afford to pay Rs 275. Which is when I requested the director to give him a freeship (financial aid provided to students from economically weaker sections). He is the first student whom I requested a freeship for. The director did ask me why I was supporting this student. But I knew he was bright and played good cricket. I didn’t want to let him go," said Lad.

Neighbours in the Borivali locality where Sharma grew up told News18 how his uncle Ravi would take him for training and matches everywhere, including to Churchgate, which was 35 km from their residence.

Abhishek Nayar, former cricketer and Sharma’s Mumbai Indians teammate, said the cricketer was inspired by India’s 2011 World Cup and has always wanted to represent India at the prestigious quadrennial tournament.

“India were playing the 2011 World Cup and we were both watching the match. Rohit told me ‘I’ll have to work on myself and play the World Cup’. Post which, he worked hard, got in shape, lost weight and rest is history now. He is currently the Captain and the way the team has had an unbeaten streak of 10 matches, I am sure they will win the match tomorrow (Sunday)," said Nayar.