Life is such a rollercoaster that it can transform you from nobody to someone remarkable in a matter of seconds. That is what occurred to Mahesh Pithiya, an Australian spin bowler who was selected by India before to the Border-Gavaskar Trophy to train against the seasoned off-spin spinner Ravichandran Ashwin.
And now a similar occurrence has occurred once more. Prior to the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, the Netherlands cricket team recruited a Swiggy food delivery boy to train against spin bowlers, one of the strengths of any Indian cricket ground.
Lokesh Kumar, a 29-year-old Swiggy delivery driver, unexpectedly assumed a new position as a member of the Netherlands cricket team’s support staff on Monday while still performing his regular food deliveries. As they prepare for the forthcoming World Cup 2023 in India, the Netherlands cricket team has selected Lokesh as their net bowler.
The coaching staff of the Netherlands team evaluated almost 10,000 applicants, and Lokesh, a talented left-arm Chinese bowler, stood out. During the selection process, candidates sent videos via WhatsApp, and Lokesh’s entry captured the attention of the Dutch team.
Given his proficiency in negotiating India’s spin-friendly wickets, they understood that this Swiggy delivery master would be crucial to their World Cup preparations.
Lokesh informed TOI that he had spent the previous four years playing in the fifth division and had signed up with the fourth-division squad, Indian Oil (RO) S&RC, for the current season after joining the Dutch camp on Wednesday.
He expressed satisfaction at having his talent recognized after being chosen by the Netherlands as a net bowler. The Netherlands team members welcomed Lokesh with open arms when he arrived, and an induction ceremony for the net bowlers took place before the practice began.
Feel comfortable; you are a member of our team, and the players emphasized to them. Lokesh can immediately tell that he is blending in well with the Dutch family.
Through the playoff round, the Netherlands cricket team earned a spot in the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. The Netherlands placed second behind Sri Lanka in the qualifiers held in Zimbabwe, qualifying for the World Cup.
On October 6 in Hyderabad, the Dutch team will play Pakistan in the tournament opener.
Recommendation to read:
