Nagpur’s 30-year-old cricketer Gurudas Raut has been selected in the 16-member Indian cricket team for the Cricket World Cup 2019 for differently-abled to be held in England in August. Raut, who was born with a disability in his left hand, is an all-rounder.

Rauts inclusion in the squad along with four other cricketers from Maharashtra was announced by Ravi Chauhan, General Secretary, All India Cricket Association for Physically Challenged (AICAPC).

Raut, who currently works at the Indian Air Force HQ Maintenance Command in Nagpur, has been the captain of the physically challenged Indian cricket team in the past. Under his leadership, the team has done really well against teams such as South Africa, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

Here’s Gurudas Raut’s exclusive interview with Nation Next!

Raut has also led the Maharashtra cricket team. Under his leadership, the team has been national champion 15 times and zonal champion five times.

Gurudas Raut has been playing cricket since the last 12 years. In the last six years, he has represented India many times. An elated Gurudas Raut while speaking to Nation Next said, It’s amazing that I have been selected for the World Cup squad. It’s an honour to represent India and I will try to do my best.

Speaking about his inspiration, Raut said, Sachin Tendulkar has been inspiration from childhood. I have always wanted to be like him and whatever I’m today, it’s because of him.

Notably, when England toured India in 2012 for a four-match test series, Gurudas gained a lot of recognition when he clean bowled Tendulkar during a net practice session at VCA Jamtha stadium in Nagpur.