"Every setback in life
leads to something fruitful"

Your journey to wheelchair cricket is both inspiring and remarkable. Can you tell us what motivated you to play cricket after your accident and what challenges you had to overcome along the way?

Sagar: As a boy who could take three steps at a time, it was a challenge for me to suddenly take just one. I was hesitant to leave the house because I was afraid of walking slowly. The only motivation to face these obstacles was my mother; I couldn’t bear the thought that she might lose faith in me. She is still the driving force behind everything I do.
Most of the challenges came from within me. I worried about how people would perceive me, whether I could achieve the goals I had envisioned in my childhood, and whether I could adequately support my parents. After the accident, my social circle was limited to my mother, as relatives treated my disability as a taboo. They rarely enquired about my wellbeing and many avoided contact with me altogether. Although this often made me sad, sport gave me the confidence and determination to overcome these hurdles.

As the vice-captain of the Karnataka state wheelchair cricket team and a member of the Indian team, what do you think are the key factors that have contributed to your success on the field?

Sagar: First of all, you have to enjoy the game. I believe in living in the present and not being too hard on myself if I have had a poor performance that could raise doubts about my abilities. Discipline during training sessions is important, but what really leaves a lasting impression is my willingness to listen to insights and feedback from teammates and others, regardless of whether the day on the pitch was favorable or not.

You recently did a photo shoot for the PUMA catalog. How did you feel about it and what message do you hope it sends to the public?

Sagar: Aside from the technical aspects of getting in front of the camera and perfecting my posture, I’ve been imagining moments like this shoot since I was a kid. It was truly a dream come true to find myself in the same room as my favorite cricketer Virat Kohli. I believe very setback in life leads to something fruitful.

How has this partnership with PUMA impacted your career and personal life?

Sagar: Professionally, this experience has given me the confidence that dedication and passion will inevitably get the recognition it deserves. Personally, I was overwhelmed by the flood of positive and heartwarming messages from well-wishers and friends, some of whom I hadn’t heard from in years, and it reminded me of the impact we can have on other people’s lives, even if we’ve grown apart.

What are your next goals for your cricket (or modelling?) career?

Sagar: My ultimate goal in cricket is to use the game as a platform to spread the message of inclusion and promote a positive attitude towards people with disabilities. This is still my main focus and I am determined to continue to champion this cause on the field.
Modeling – Haha! To be honest, I’ve received a lot of messages telling me to take it seriously, even though I’m camera shy and this is new to me! If the right opportunities come my way, I would be involved in collaborations.