Injures are part and parcel of sportspersons' lives. They cope, they shrug it off and take adversity in their stride. However, it becomes harder when practitioners of sport have to deal with mishaps just as their careers are taking shape. Like city-based cricketer Kalp Shah, 16, who makes his debut for Saurashtra against Mumbai in the Under-16 Vijay Merchant Trophy at Rajkot today.

Left-arm pacer Kalp fell from the jhula [swing] during a family function four years ago. A severe spinal cord injury rendered him bedridden for five months. He could resume school and cricket practice only a year and a half later. "I do not want to recall that incident. Forget playing, we all were praying that Kalp survives. He could not even move his neck for the initial two months," Kalps father Yatin told mid-day.