Against all odds, Majid Magray set to lead India at Lord’s

For years, every training session meant travelling more than 50 kilometres as there was hardly any infrastructure for differently abled cricketers in Kashmir.

The long commute, limited facilities, and five years of waiting for an India cap could have broken Majid Magray’s resolve. Instead, they shaped the player who will now lead India in the upcoming Mixed Disability Cricket Series against England, culminating at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground on August 19.

“I started in 2018. Our infrastructure is very limited in Kashmir. We have to travel 50-60 kms for practice. We have to prepare well. We have to play here and there. It is a big thing for us,” Majid told PTI.

The 16-member Indian team, announced by the Differently Abled Cricket Council of India (DCCI), will play a seven-match T20I series across Derby, Leicester, Hove, Arundel, and Lord’s from August 5 to 19.

For Majid, captaining India is the culmination of a journey that began in 2018 and tested his patience before he finally made his debut in 2023.

“You will only move forward when you face difficulties. I was trying to join the team since 2018. I struggled for five years. My family supported me. My father and mother supported me; my brother also supported me a lot. It is like a dream to play at Lord’s,” he said.

The Jammu and Kashmir cricketer believes disability cricket has evolved rapidly since India won the Physical Disability World Series in 2019.

“It is increasing day by day. After 2019, India won the World Cup (Series). Since then, there has been a lot of competition. There are ups and downs, but the boys have not given up their hard work,” he said.

Majid, who draws inspiration from India captain Rohit Sharma, hopes his journey encourages more youngsters from Jammu and Kashmir to take up the sport.