Praveen Kumar Nearly Shot Himself With Revolver As He Opens Up On Fight Against Depression

Former India fast-bowler Praveen Kumar did not really manage to live up to the lofty expectations. The ex-cricketer was tipped for a bright future when he made a big mark with his prodigious swing at the start of his cricket career. But as time wore on, he failed to justify the huge hype surrounding him. Within months, he went from India’s pace spearhead to being an outcast.

Praveen Kumar was dropped from the national team in 2012 and after a lengthy and unfruitful wait, he decided to call it quits in 2018. He recently found himself in a big controversy after allegedly beating his neighbour and his minor son while being drunk. And almost eight years after last playing for India, Praveen Kumar has opened up on his fight against depression.

Also Read: Praveen Kumar Allegedly Thrashes Neighbour And His Minor Son In Drunken State

In an interview with Indian Express, the former India cricketer revealed that he had made his mind over taking his life before his children’s photos changed his mind. The news outlet reports that just a couple of months ago on a chilly winter morning in Meerut, ‘Praveen Kumar put on a muffler, took his revolver, got into his car and sped to the highway to Haridwar. As he sat in his car on the dark road, the revolver next to him, Kumar said: “I told myself, ‘Kya hai yeh sab? Bas khatam karte hain (What’s all this? Let me just end it)’.”

“I realised I can’t do this to my phool-jaise bachche (innocent children), put them through this hell. I turned back,” he added.

He also opened up about the rumours suggesting that he got into alcohol and was facing issues due to it. Praveen Kumar refuted all the rumours and said that his situation is “blown out of proportion”.

“Please tell me who doesn’t drink,” Kumar said before adding: “People have spread this perception, I don’t know why. No one will speak about the good things I have done. I sponsor young children, I have arranged marriages of 10 girls, I help cricketers financially. India mein bas sab ek hawa banate hain log. Meri hawa galat banayi gayi. Hawa toh hawa hai, ek baar chal gayi toh one can’t do anything (In India, a perception is created. A perception was created about me too. Once that happens, one can’t do anything).”

Overall, Kumar played 6 Tests, 68 ODIs and 10 T20Is, picking up a total of 112 international wickets. His last appearance for India came in March 2012.