Sports: Everyone drinks, I was just defamed, Praveen Kumar made serious allegations against a senior cricketer!
PC:dnaindia
In 2017, Praveen Kumar bid farewell to his illustrious cricket career with his final appearance in various formats. Known for his magical bowling skills as a right-arm medium pacer. He left a lasting impression by playing his last IPL match for Gujarat Lions and representing Uttar Pradesh in first-class and List-A matches. His T20 career came to an end the following year. Despite the growing prominence of cricket in India, the doors to the national team were closed for Praveen in 2012.
In a recent interview with 'The Lallantop', Praveen Kumar candidly shared his disappointment over missed opportunities and unfulfilled coaching aspirations after retirement. Despite wanting to contribute to cricket as a coach, mentor or guide, he found himself excluded from such roles.
The crux of the issue, as Praveen revealed, was the misinformation spread about his alleged alcohol addiction, which was hindering his chances in coaching and mentorship. Denying the allegations, he questioned the validity of the claims: 'Did I drink alcohol on the ground or open the bottle in the dressing room?'
Speaking about his international career of 6 Tests, 68 ODIs and 10 T20Is from 2007 to 2012, Praveen acknowledged the challenges he faced. He revealed that when I was in the Indian team, the seniors used to say, 'Don't drink, don't do this, don't do that. Everyone does it, but it's the same thing, they defame him because he drinks PK. After retirement, even the UP team did not call me for bowling coaching to the boys in the Ranji Trophy.
When asked whether seniors like Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, and Sourav Ganguly had advised him not to drink alcohol, Praveen replied, 'No, I don't want to take names on camera. Everyone knows who has defamed PK. Everyone knows him. People who know me personally know how I am. A bad image has been created of me.
These challenges resulted in a negative impact on Praveen's mental health, leading to depression. Despite his significant contribution to Indian cricket, he found himself neglected and unappreciated. Seeking solace, he spent time in Haridwar for contemplation.
Reflecting on his impressive international career, Praveen Kumar displayed exceptional skill with the new ball and troubled the top-order batsmen with his amazing swing. A key figure in India's successes, injuries prevented him from having a sustained career. He missed the 2011 World Cup due to injury and played his last international match in March 2012 against South Africa.