Shekhar Naik Biography 
Shekhar Naik is an Indian blind cricketer from Shimoga, Karnataka. He also served as the captain of the India national blind cricket team, and regarded as one of the best Indian blind players. He led team India to victories at the T20 Blind Cricket World Cup in 2012 and Blind Cricket World Cup in 2014. For his contributions towards sports, especially cricket, Government of India honoured him with the fourth civilian honour - Padma Shri in 2017. From leading India’s blind cricket team to getting the Padma Shri, Shekhar Naik owns an inspiring story to tell. He is the first Blind cricketer to be awarded the Padma Shri.
Shekhar Naik was born in Shimoga, Karnataka on 7 April 1986. Arakere is his native place. He was born into a farmer’s family. He was born as completely blind. His mother and 15 members of his family also suffered from visual impairment, and hence it was hereditary. At the age he got a head injury, and when he was taken to the nearly health camp the doctors realised the possibility of restoring sight in his right eye. He restored 60% of his vision in his right eye in an eye operation held at Bangalore. He lost his father very soon. Later he joined a blind school at Shimoga.
Since school days, he played cricket. He worked in the fields during the summer holidays so that he can pursue a career in the field of cricket. He lost his mother too, at the age of 12. In year 2000, he found a place in Karnataka team after scoring 136 runs in 46 balls. In 2002 he got selected to national team, and eight years later, he was assigned the duty of a captain. He is now married and has two daughters.
Published: February 03, 2019
Updated: February 03, 2019
