Recently, the Indian spinning maestro, Anil Kumble conducted a talent hunt to extract the top quality fresh spinning talents from throughout the country. A total of 80 towns were being monitored in the hunt for the past two months and the former Indian captain came across an unusual leg spinner just a few days back in Bangalore.
As many as two thousand spinners were thoroughly examined and amongst them 110 spinners were picked up as finalists of the contest and were asked to demonstrate their skills at the NRA ground in Bangalore.
A 17-year old, physically challenged boy named Shankar Sajjan came out to be exceptional and Kumble was thoroughly impressed by his spinning skills. He caught everyone’s eyes. Initially, he was not in the initial 20 but Kumble added him as a special case.
Shankar is pretty much passionate about the game like many other youngsters in the country. But as obvious, things were not as easy for him. Around three years ago, in Bijapur, he had gone to Shahu Cricket Club at the Ambedkar Stadium but it was pretty much hard for him to convince the local coaches. His coaches made it clear that he will only be accepted provided he bowls properly.
Despite of his deformity, he cleared the selection and that too by merit and not by any sorts of consideration. And since then, he has been on his way chasing his dream to be a successful leg spinner.