Netherlands Announce Net Bowlers For World Cup 2023 Preparations, Swiggy Food Delivery Executive Lokesh Kumar Named

The Netherlands cricket team has selected four net bowlers to assist them during their pre-World Cup camp in Alur. Lokesh Kumar is one of the four net bowlers and will help the Dutch team prepare for the upcoming ODI World Cup 2023 with his chinaman bowling.

Lokesh Kumar has been employed as a Swiggy food delivery executive in Chennai since 2018. The team management had picked him after evaluating approximately 10,000 bowlers from India who submitted their entries by uploading videos through a mobile application.

Netherlands Announce Net Bowlers For World Cup Preparations

Cricket Netherlands took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to express gratitude for the enthusiastic response to their net bowler search in India. They announced the names of the four individuals who will be joining the team for their preparations for the World Cup.

“Thank you for the overwhelming response to our net bowlers hunt, India. Here the 4 names who will be part of the team’s #CWC23 preparations,” wrote the caption.

https://x.com/KNCBcricket/status/1704154075531706653?s=20

My Talent Has Finally Recognized – Lokesh Kumar

Lokesh Kumar, who joined the Dutch camp as a net bowler on Wednesday, expressed his delight at being recognized for his talent. The 29-year-old described this opportunity to be part of an international team camp as a significant moment in his career.

“This is one of the most precious moments of my career. I am yet to even play in the TNCA third division league. I played in the fifth division for four years and I have registered for fourth-division outfit Indian Oil (RO) S&RC for the ongoing season. After being picked by the Netherlands as a net bowler, I feel that my talent has finally been recognised,” Lokesh told TOI.

“The Netherlands team members welcomed me with open arms; there was an induction ceremony for the net bowlers before the beginning of the session. The players told us: ‘feel free, this is your team’. I already feel that I am part of the Dutch family,” Lokesh added.

I Spent Four Years On Cricket – Lokesh Kumar

Lokesh Kumar emphasized how his job as a Swiggy food delivery executive indirectly benefited his cricketing career. He revealed that Swiggy provided flexible working hours that allowed him to focus on cricket and participate in TNCA league matches on weekends.

“After seeing the advertisement, I was keen to give it a try. I felt that I would have an edge over others as there are not many chinaman bowlers in the country. Netherlands were looking for a mystery spinner. So, I decided to give it a try.”

“After my college days, my entire focus was on cricket. I spent four years on cricket. In 2018, I decided to take up a job. I have been with Swiggy for the last four years. 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.”

Also read: ICC World Cup 2023: Netherlands Announce 15-Man Squad For World Cup, Experienced Duo Recalled