Junaid Khan, the newest cricket player from Mumbai, has had an incredible rise to fame.
The fast bowler’s journey from driving an autorickshaw, selling bread, and working in a garment factory to playing for domestic powerhouse Mumbai was anything from straightforward. Millions of ambitious cricket players compelled to think about quitting the sport because of a lack of facilities or financial difficulties will undoubtedly find inspiration in his narrative.
Before current India Assistant Coach Abhishek Nayar’s prompt intervention, the 24-year-old almost lost out on a well-earned cricket opportunity.
Junaid Khan nearly missed out on a cricket career when he left his home in Kannauj, Uttar Pradesh, in 2015 to look for a job. But a fortuitous meeting with Abhishek turned out to be crucial.
Abhishek, well-known for his coaching, ensured Junaid Khan had all the resources to pursue his cricketing goals and wasn’t forced to rely on ferrying passengers in the autorickshaw for a job.
After putting up impressive performances in preseason competitions like the KSCA and Buchi Babu, Junaid Khan made his first-class debut for Mumbai last month against the Rest of India in the Irani Cup. Particularly at the Ekana stadium in Lucknow, which is only 120 kilometres from his village of Kannauj, he was overjoyed to debut in such a renowned event. His family and friends were at the game and supported him the entire time.
Junaid Khan is still grounded, even though he bowled to some of the best players in the world while playing net bowling for the Kolkata Knight Riders in the 2024 Indian Premier League. He also helped Mumbai win the Irani Cup for the first time in 27 years.
Junaid Khan and his pals still reside in a one-room bungalow in the Bandra East chawl in suburban Mumbai, even though he can now afford more excellent housing. “I don’t feel like leaving all my friends in Bandra. I won’t be able to leave them and stay alone in another place,” he says to Harish Kotian.
His earnings from his time with KKR have been his lifeline. “We hadn’t paid the electricity bill of my house in Kannauj for three years, so I paid that entire outstanding amount. Then my mother had to undergo an operation for a gall bladder stone so I was able to do that, she also had infection in her stomach so I got her treated for the same,” he shares.
In addition to being your first game for Mumbai, the Irani Cup match was also your first-class match. What was it like to participate in a significant domestic game?
My first-class debut match seemed like a dream come true. I never thought I would play such a significant match and reach such a level in my cricket career. For me, this match was a dream come true.
Playing with the elders made me feel unique, and I gained much knowledge from them. My happiness was doubled when Mumbai won the Irani Cup after a 27-year wait.
You claimed that playing for Mumbai in the Irani Cup was something you never thought would happen to you.
Describe the moment you were informed that you would be making your debut. How did you respond to the news, and who broke it?
When Mumbai Coach Omkar Salvi told me the night before the game, “You sleep well; you will make your debut tomorrow,” I was stunned.
“Don’t worry,” our coach then advised. “Just keep bowling like you did in club cricket, the KSCA tournament, and Buchi Babu.” Take your time with this; treat it like any other game.
I immediately called my mother and informed her that I would be making my Mumbai debut tomorrow. I told her, ‘I wished you could come for my debut game, but your health is not good, so just rest.’
At the age of 65, my mother’s health is not very good.
I instructed her to let my brothers know and encouraged everyone to attend the match in Lucknow. I also messaged my close friends from Kannauj, inviting them to participate in the game. My buddies had promised to come whether I played so that they would have come for the game.
They wanted to see me receive the Mumbai cap, so they arrived before 8 am, even though they were only meant to arrive after 10 am. My relatives attended the game as well.
I was unable to sleep at all after talking to the coach. Despite my best efforts, I failed to get any sleep. Every time I woke up, I would get up, drink some water, and then go back to bed, but I was never able to get any sleep. I didn’t get any sleep; thus, the entire night continued in this manner.
I cried when Shardul Bhai (Thakur) gave me my first cap. I was ecstatic to play in a significant game that all of India would see.
I was also experiencing anxiety. I informed my coach, Abhishek Nayar Sir, that evening that I was experiencing anxiety and fear. “Don’t take any tension,” he told me. Bowl like you would in any other game when you have the opportunity. Don’t try anything new; keep doing what you have done. You’ll succeed, I’m sure. Don’t worry; have fun with the game.
“I am proud of you,” he added. Just go into bowling with the thinking, ‘How can I play a role in Mumbai’s victory?’ how can I contribute to the team in bowling, fielding, and batting? Put your all into each department. Put the team’s needs ahead of your own.
I felt better after talking to Abhishek Nayar Sir. I felt at ease and internally confident. I can succeed at this level because of what he said.
According to what we’ve heard, the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow erupted in cheers when Shardul Thakur handed you the Mumbai cap each time you bowled. Is that correct?
Many of my friends and brothers had travelled to Lucknow to support me. They were present for the entire five-day match.
There is no more excellent script for your life’s story. A young boy leaves his home in UP and comes to Mumbai for a livelihood. And 10 years later, the same little youngster makes his first-class debut for Mumbai in a stadium in UP. How was the feeling to play the first big match of your career in your home state?
That was the finest feeling to have played my maiden match for Mumbai in my home state of Uttar Pradesh. If I had played my first in Mumbai, people would have come, but so many people could not have come to support me.
Allah’s intention was that when I finally received something, I got everything.
How significant has Abhishek Nayar played in your cricketing journey so far?
When I started playing cricket in Mumbai, I went to Shivaji Park to meet coach Shreyas Sir, who was referred to me by a buddy, Aamir, in Kanpur. At that time, I used to drive an autorickshaw from morning to afternoon to get some money, and his practice timing was also the same. I met him, but he told me their coaching is just in the morning. I told him that I operate an autorickshaw in the morning to earn my daily life and can only come in the morning.
He advised me that since I dwell in Bandra, to go and meet (former Mumbai wicket-keeper) Manish Bangera Sir who runs the Sanjeevani Cricket Academy. I used to go to that academy and observe the boys training there, and at that time, I also wanted to play cricket so severely.
Manish Bangera Sir was gracious enough to accommodate me. He told me to join his academy, and I started my cricket practice there.
But because I used to drive an autorickshaw, sometimes I would get late for practice because I went the auto till 3 pm.
I was irregular for practice since I had to drive the autorickshaw to sustain my daily costs in Mumbai and send money to my mother back in Kannauj. Thus, I had to complete even the day of driving the autorickshaw.
“See, you are a good bowler; you can go places, but you need to focus on your game,” Manish Bangera Sir told me over the phone one day. I told him I couldn’t avoid taking the autorickshaw daily because of my financial difficulties.
He grasped my difficulty and let me know to continue. At the Sanjeevani Academy, I learnt a lot of cricket in those days.
Manish Bangera Sir has always been there for me whenever I needed assistance.
I later learned that Shreyas Iyer was rehearsing at Wankhede Stadium one day. I was informed by Manish Bangera Sir that Abhishek Nayar had called and that they required a fast bowler to bowl in the nets.
Abhishek Nayar Sir has never seen me bowling before. “I have never seen you in Mumbai before,” he told me. From where are you? I told him everything about how I made a career driving autorickshaws and playing cricket in the evenings. When he inquired about my whereabouts, I told him I was residing in a chawl in Bandra East with my four buddies.
He promised to support me if I wanted to play cricket professionally. I explained to him that I come from a low-income family in Uttar Pradesh and that my mother and brothers are the only parents I have. We require our daily salary to make ends meet; we can only eat at night if we make money throughout the day.
What brought you to Mumbai?
In 2014, when I was 15 or 16, I fled my Kannauj-based family and arrived in Mumbai. I first worked in a clothing factory before moving to Thane to sell pav (bread), and now I drive an autorickshaw.
Initially, I earned Rs 3,000 a month working as an assistant in a jeans factory in Andheri West when I first arrived in Mumbai. It was a tiny godown/factory where jeans were sewn. About ten or twelve people were employed there. It was where I used to work and sleep.
I had to care for my mother’s expenses while my brothers in UP were all married and living with their own families.
Since I didn’t have any other habits and the factory owner used to feed me, I used to keep Rs 1,000 for myself and send the remaining amount to my mother in Kannauj.
After two years of employment, I started selling pav in Thane.
Then, in 2016, a buddy from the township of Mira Road, north of Mumbai, encouraged me to try driving an autorickshaw. He said that I could easily earn about Rs 10,000 with hard work. When I was younger and lacked a license, the traffic police havaldar occasionally caught me and imposed a fine.
Did you own this autorickshaw?
No, that was someone else’s property. I used to drive from early in the morning till late in the afternoon, and I had to pay the owner about Rs 200 a day in addition to Rs 200 for a CNG filling. I kept the remaining Rs 300 to Rs 400, which was my money.
However, I occasionally had to pay a fine of about Rs 500 if the traffic police caught me driving without a license. I didn’t save any money that day. I was having a hard time because I could barely save money for my mother, my cricket practice, the gym, food, and rent.
After I met Abhishek Nayar Sir, my life changed completely. When he heard about my hardship, he said, ‘Don’t worry about money or anything. Hereafter, I will look after your expenses, you just focus on cricket. Whenever you need money, you let me know; I am there for you, train hard and improve your game.’
He told me I had the talent to play at a higher level; I just needed to work hard. You will play for Mumbai for sure with the talent you have.’
Then, I joined his academy once the lockdown ended when cricket started in Mumbai in 2022. I practised under him in 2022 and 2023, and I learned much in those two years.
How did you manage things in the lockdown? Did you stay back in Mumbai or did you return to Kannauj?
I had savings of roughly Rs 20,000. I stayed back in Mumbai, expecting the lockdown will be lifted after 8 or 10 days. After a month, practically all my money was finished.
Then, one of my friends who lives in Kannauj returned home on his bike, and I chose to go with him.
When the Covid lockdown was in effect, we rode our bikes from Mumbai to Kannauj. Everyone was returning to their villages because so many people were impacted then. If we must die, they all reasoned, let’s die in our communities instead of here.
Over around one and a half days, we rode our bikes over a few state lines. We used the inside routes if we were aware of a police checkpoint.
I remained in Kannauj during the lockdown, and four months after the initial lockdown ended, I returned to Mumbai. I had to work to support my family, so I couldn’t stay there long.
Since there were still a lot of limitations in place when the lockdown ended, did you encounter any issues after arriving in Mumbai?
I have only encountered issues since the day I arrived in Mumbai. However, my problems were fixed in 2022 after I met Abhishek Nayar Sir. I cannot express my gratitude to him for giving me everything I needed to pursue my cricketing career.
You mentioned staying in a Bandra chawl with your buddies when you started operating an autorickshaw. Since your cricket career is taking off, do you still reside there or have you gone elsewhere?
No, I continue to reside there. I don’t want to leave Bandra and all of my friends behind. I will be unable to leave them and remain by myself elsewhere. I still live with them, but I’m considering moving somewhere bigger and better.
Four pals stay with me. My friends, Mohammed Raza and Aaqib operate autorickshaws, and Arbaaz and Sultan are Zomato delivery workers. While playing cricket in Mumbai, I got to know Arbaaz and Sultan. Still, I already knew Aaqib and Raza because they are from Kannauj.
What is the size of the home you now reside in?
I reside in a chawl in Behrampada, Bandra East, close to the station. All five of us stay in the house’s single room, which has a bathroom and toilet connected.
Each person must pay about Rs 2,500 for rent and other monthly expenses.
I told Abhishek Nayar Sir that I preferred to remain with my friends, even though he offered to set up a pleasant play. I can’t believe how much he has done for me.
I look up to Abhishek Nayar, Sir, after my family.
Do you find it easy to leave your Kannauj house and return to Mumbai? You must be missing your mom here.
My mother and I share a unique bond. My eyes well up with sorrow every time I leave Kannauj. She is so very dear to me. It’s hard to leave her behind.
She needs to be more knowledgeable about cricket. I then gave her an explanation of how I got to this point. Since only a tiny percentage of young guys succeed at this level despite the efforts of thousands and thousands, she became aware of my professional accomplishments.
She was overjoyed, and my entire family rejoiced in my success.
Before this season, you were a net bowler in the KKR nets. What was the experience like?
Last year, before the IPL season began, Abhishek Nayar Sir took me to the KKR pre-camp. He explained that he took me to the camp so I could observe how cricket players spend their days, how they train, how they prepare, and their mindset.
I spent ten days at the KKR preseason camp. However, he brought me to KKR this year as a legitimate net bowler. Because the net bowlers receive daily allowances, it improved my cricket game and my financial situation.
I could concentrate on my cricket, work hard in the gym, and eat wholesome food to be fit and healthy, which was beneficial.
My confidence increased, and I performed well at club cricket. After that, I performed well in the Mumbai KSCA tournament and the Buchi Babu tournament, and as a result, the selectors chose me to play for Mumbai in the Irani Cup.
Did you have the opportunity to observe top international players like Mitchell Starc, Andre Russell, and Sunil Narine at KKR during your time as a net bowler?
The experience was positive. I talked to Venkatesh Iyer bhai a lot about my bowling.
Having the opportunity to talk to Mitchell Starc was the highlight for me. I brought along a translator to help me understand what he was saying. I adore watching Starc bowl; he is the best bowler in the world and has won two World Cups.
Similarly, I asked him a single question: “You have a great deal of international cricket experience.” In T20 cricket, you will occasionally go for runs, even when you bowl brilliantly. How do you feel at that moment?”
“I think about the match and my bowling when I’m on the ground, but I forget about it when I return to the dressing room,” he said. I concentrate on how I can do better the following day or in the upcoming game.
I should not overthink, Starc said. You will perform well on some days and poorly on others. Try to figure out what went wrong when you don’t meet expectations. Keep putting forth the effort to get better every day.
My bowling is good, according to Starc, but he advised me to work hard and practice a lot.
Have you had the opportunity to meet Shah Rukh Khan?
This season, I had the opportunity to meet Shah Rukh bhai. Although I did meet him, I could not converse with him. Every time we went to Bandra Bandstand when I was first in Mumbai, I recall that we would go and observe his mansion, Mannat, from the outside.
When I first saw Shah Rukh bhai, I thought I was dreaming. I wondered if I was dreaming or if Shah Rukh bhai was there in front of me.
I can never forget cricket’s impact on me; it has given me so much up to this point.
Ruturaj Gaikwad, the captain of the Chennai Super Kings and one of the top young players in the nation, was the target of your first significant wicket in first-class cricket.
I was under pressure since Coach Omkar Salvi and the Mumbai selectors had placed great faith in me and our support personnel.
I also had a lot of assistance from Captain Ajinkya Rahane, who always assured me that I had his undivided backing and that I shouldn’t feel under any pressure. And he kept supporting me even when I bowled loose deliveries, which was a significant aspect of his captaincy.
The joy I felt upon obtaining Ruturaj Gaikwad’s wicket is beyond words. I was so emotional at that moment that I was on the verge of tears.
Your employment appears steady now that you’ve joined the Mumbai team, lessening your financial load. Has your current situation improved as a result of this cricket revenue?
This year, I paid off my debts with the money I earned from bowling in the KKR nets. I paid the total amount owed because my Kannauj home’s electricity bill hadn’t been paid in three years. I was able to accomplish it after my mother had to have surgery for a gallbladder stone. I had her treated for an infection in her gut as well.
Junaid Khan returned all the money I borrowed from a few people when I was having financial difficulties, such as Rs 2,000 from one and Rs 5,000 from another.
Junaid Khan now readily give them the amount they require whenever they come to me for money. When someone asks me for money, I try my best to help them because I remember the times when I was struggling and would have a lot of issues if they didn’t help me.
