IPL windfall for truck driver’s son Mangesh Yadav

BHOPAL: In next year’s IPL, when 23-year-old Mangesh Yadav will walk in, in Borgaon - a nondescript village in MP’s Chhindwara district - his truck-driver father would take a break from burning rubber, park himself before an old television set and watch with pride.

Mangesh, an all-rounder, was acquired by Royal Challengers Bengaluru for Rs 5.2 crore at Tuesday’s IPL auction —an acquisition that marked the culmination of years of hardship and sacrifice by Ram Awadh Yadav, his father, who se heart swells when he realises his son will share the same space with Virat Kohli. When TOI contacted Ram Awadh Yadav to ask for a photo of Mangesh, he said, “I have a very basic phone; I won’t be able to send a photo with it.

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To nurture his son’s cricketing ambitions, Ram Awadh Yadav often borrowed money from friends and acquaintances. He took loans to buy cricket equipment, to pay for training sessions and cover travel expenses for tournaments. Despite frugal means, he ensured that financial struggles never hindered Mangesh’s career as a player. The financial strain was considerable, and Ram Awadh Yadav continues to repay some of the debts incurred during those years.

Yet the pride of seeing his son succeed on T20 cricket’s largest stage has overshadowed those burdens. “I still owe money to some people who helped us when we needed it most. But seeing Mangesh reach this level makes every struggle worth it,” he said.Mangesh is the eldest of four siblings, with three younger sisters. His family lives in a rented house in Borgaon, about 75km from Chhindwara city. Mangesh, who completed his education only up to Class 10, emerged as one of the most inspirational stories of this year’s auction. “I am happy to be apart of IPL. I will give my best,” said Mangesh. As news of his auction spread, celebrations broke out in Borgaon. Neighbours, friends and villagers gathered outside the Yadavs’ modest home to congratulate the family.