Mumbai: Mankhurd boys home has cricketers with eye on blue jersey

Prajwal Pansare with Naeem Kalu Khan, 14, an ace spinner, who is training at the shelter home

When wielding his cricket bat, Prajwal Pansare, 16, is a different person. Otherwise reticent, Pansare, a right-handed batsman, oozes confidence when smashing the balls for fours and sixes -- a feat that has elevated him to demigod status at the Chembur Children's Home in Mankhurd, where he resides.

Pansare, who was recently sent to London to hone his cricketing skills, has now become a beacon of hope for many others like him, who are getting one more shot at life through sport. This success story, however, wouldn't have been possible without Sahil Kukreja, a former Ranji player, who infused the love for cricket in Pansare. For the last five years, Kukreja has trained hundreds of children at the shelter home, helping the most talented among them learn alongside professionals.

Mentor Sahil Kukreja

Nurturing talent
The Chembur Children's Home, which was established in 1921, houses 120 boys. Kukreja first started visiting the shelter five years ago, along with his parents. "During these visits, I would urge the kids to play cricket. Sometimes, I would join them for a game. It's then that I realised that some of them were very talented," recalls Kukreja. "I thought it would be a good idea to share all the knowledge and resources I had with them. And so, with permission from officials of the Children Aid Society, which runs the home, I began training the kids in 2012," he added.

Kukreja, also roped in cricketers Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane, among others to visit the home and train the kids. "I found that the boys were mentally tough with focus. I came to the conclusion that if given an opportunity, they would shine at any level," he says. Two years ago, he reached out to Cricket Beyond Boundaries (CBB), a global NGO encouraging deserving children to pursue cricketing dreams abroad.

Kukreja roped in cricketer Rohit Sharma, among others, to meet the boys and share a few cricketing tips with them at the Chembur Children's Home in Mankhurd

In 2015, Rupesh Borade, then 16, became the first child from the shelter home to visit Durham School, a 650-year-old institution in North London, to train with cricketing greats. "After his return there was a paradigm shift in the attitude of the inmates. The boys, who were taking cricketing sessions casually, found a new goal," says Rahul Kanthikar, superintendent of the shelter. Pansare was the second student from the home to get selected to train at the London school this year.

'A dream come true'
Pansare, who lost his mother at birth, was only five when he was brought to the Mankhurd home. His father had left him with his maternal aunt, who worked as a maid and was unable to look after him. She brought him to the home on July 1, 2007. Little did the young boy know that exactly 10 years later, he would return to the home, but after an incredible, life-changing experience in London.
Pansare was sent to Durham in June, and he stayed there for 30 days. "I played 14 matches there, including T20 tournaments and 45-over games. The entire experience was amazing and a dream come true," he said. "Until a few years ago, many of us weren't sure about our future, or where we'd land up after we turned 18. But, after training in London, I feel more positive about my future," he says.

Right-handed bastman Prajwal Pansare, 16, trained at the Durham School in North London in June this year. Pics/ Rajesh Gupta

The 16-year-old practices daily with children from the home, especially Naeem Kalu Khan, 14, a good spinner. Bapurao Bhavane, chief officer of Children's Aid Society is confident that the boys will go places. "Cricket has changed the mindset of the kids here," he says. Pansare has taken on the challenge already. "My dream is to wear the blue Indian team jersey with my name on it," he says.