Vandiperiyar: Friday was Sebastian’s day. It was a day of victory when he went to the field as a member of the under-19 Kerala cricket team from a situation where he didn’t even have money to buy shoes. This 18-year-old has become the country’s pride by taking five wickets in his debut match.
Vandiperiyar resident M. Sebastian put on a brilliant performance. The maiden match of this right-arm fast bowler was against West Bengal.
Sebastian, a native of Manjumala, achieved success by overcoming challenges and hardships. At the age of nine, he started playing cricket with a tennis ball. While studying in the 7th standard, he met Rajkumar, a sports teacher at the nearby St. Joseph’s School. Joining the cricket coaching he conducted turned out to be a turning point.
There was no nets training at St. Joseph’s School. He had to go to Thodupuzha for that. Money was an issue there. There is no carriage fare for going to and fro. Training in the nets was restricted to once a month. Although they wanted to support their son’s dreams, his father Michaelraj, a hotel worker, and mother Selvi, a laborer, did not have the money to do so. Coach Rajkumar helped there too. He helped many times. Looking for a sponsor.
Meanwhile, Sebastian was selected for the Idukki district team. He played by putting on his friend’s shoes. A cricket kit was provided by some good men. Despite being a fast bowler, Sebastian bats well. I want to be an all-rounder. Sebastian put in a good performance on Friday but Kerala could not win. It’s sad. But the athlete believes that this is a stepping stone to further success. Yesudas and Mani Meklam are brothers.