We know players like Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni. They are star players in Indian cricket. But, If we ask someone about Leg Cricket, It might be unknown to him. We know hardly about Leg Cricket as well as Chandan Ray who is U-19 captain of team India. He doesn’t represent a ‘popular sport’ like cricket, but plays what is called the ‘Leg Cricket’.
“I have no problem to be a part of a ‘less popular’ sport. It’s a challenge to survive as a leg cricketer but I have never regretted playing it. However, it is difficult to continue playing without any sponsorship. I urge the state government and others to help me. I want the game to survive,” told Chandan.
Leg Cricket is similar to Cricket in many ways. Though, it is not cricket. It is played on a circular ground with radius 80 to 120 feet. The Pitch is 8 feet wide and 42-48 feet longer (according to age group or category). It is played between two teams consist 11+4 player in each team. Winning the toss the captain decide legging or fielding. The bowler roll down the ball (under arm balling) and the legman hit the ball. He scores single, double, triple run by running across the pitch or scores four/six by kicking the ball out of the boundary as in cricket. A legsman will be declared out if he/she touches the ball twice or kicks with the wrong leg. He or she will be declared catch out, run out, hit wicket etc. as in cricket. The team, which score more run will be declared a winner and the player who score more run/wicket will be declared the man of the match.
The Odisha boy, Chandan Ray has been selected as captain of Indian national Leg cricket team for three international matches against Sri Lanka in this year which is being scheduled to be at Nepal, Bhutan and in India. “In 2012, there was a camp at our school which introduced us to a number of sports including leg cricket. Though I couldn’t be a part of it due to injury, the sport interested me. After my tenth examinations, I participated in the camp and was selected in the state and then the national team instantly,” Chandan said.
He had participated many tournaments organised by Leg Cricket Federation of India, as well as The International leg cricket council. His first achievement was winning against Nepal which is his first international series.
