In an extraordinary turn of events, Lokesh Kumar, a 29-year-old food delivery executive for Swiggy in Chennai, has embarked on a remarkable journey from delivering meals to joining the Netherlands cricket team as a net bowler. This unexpected twist of fate has propelled Lokesh from the streets of Chennai to the international cricketing stage as he aids the Netherlands’ World Cup preparations in Alur.
An Indian Net Bowler for the Netherlands Lokesh Kumar, a left-arm pacer who has recently explored the art of chinaman bowling, was hand-picked as one of the four net bowlers by the Netherlands cricket team. This extraordinary opportunity arose when the Dutch side posted a call for net bowlers on social media, attracting thousands of entries from aspiring bowlers in India.
A Precious Moment in Lokesh’s Career For Lokesh, this sudden turn of events marks one of the most precious moments in his cricketing journey. Despite having played in the fifth division for four years and currently registered with a fourth-division outfit, Indian Oil (RO) S&RC, Lokesh’s talent was finally acknowledged when he was chosen as a net bowler for the Netherlands. He eagerly joined the Dutch camp to contribute his skills and passion to their World Cup preparations.
A Warm Welcome to the Dutch Family Upon his arrival at the Netherlands camp, Lokesh was warmly welcomed by the team members. An induction ceremony for the net bowlers set the tone for a sense of belonging and camaraderie. Lokesh shared, “The players told us: ‘feel free, this is your team.’ I already feel that I am part of the Dutch family.”
Confidence in Selection Lokesh’s unique skill set as a chinaman bowler set him apart from the thousands of applicants. The Netherlands team was specifically in search of a mystery spinner, and Lokesh’s unconventional style proved to be the perfect fit. His experience as a food delivery executive has indirectly contributed to his growth as a cricketer.
Balancing Work and Cricket Lokesh explained how his journey led him from being solely focused on cricket to taking up a job in 2018. His employment with Swiggy for the past four years has provided him with flexible work hours, allowing him to continue pursuing his cricketing passion. Lokesh emphasized, “I earn money only by delivering food; I do not have any other source of income. The work timings are flexible, and I can take leave whenever I want to. We usually have TNCA league matches only on the weekends, so I work during the weekdays.”
Lokesh Kumar’s extraordinary journey from delivering food to representing the Netherlands in the ICC ODI World Cup exemplifies the unpredictability and magic of sports, where talent and determination can lead to incredible opportunities.
