Published 13:01 IST, January 20th 2020
Praveen Kumar opens up on contemplating suicide by shooting himself with revolver
Praveen Kumar in his interview said that he almost felt like the end of the world when his fame suddenly disappeared after been dropped from the Indian cricket.
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Former Team India pacer Praveen Kumar was kwn for his ability to swing ball both ways, which really made it difficult for batsmen to face him. He played 84 international games for India, picking up 112 wickets, including 27 of m in 6 Tests. In an interview with a leading Indian publication, former cricketer opened up about his battle with depression and also moment when he wanted to shoot himself.
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Praveen Kumar suicide
While cricketers are starting to speak of mental illness, Praveen Kumar said that he almost felt like end of world when his fame suddenly disappeared after been dropped from Indian cricket team. He even spoke about his desire to shoot himself with his revolver. While remembering whole episode, Kumar said that he set out in car with his revolver on one of se winter mornings. It was anger of being easily forgotten that did t go down well with him. He said that he couldn't handle whole scenario and thought about killing himself but his eyes fell on picture of his children, which actually stopped him from committing act.
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Praveen Kumar on depression
In his interview, Praveen Kumar also said that negative thoughts started creeping in him and he had had one to talk to about his state of mind. He also quoted that during counselling session for depression, he told counsellor that he was unable to switch off from his thoughts. After his ouster from Indian national team, Kumar failed to land a contract in Indian Premier League (IPL), which was even more depressing for him.
BCCI suspended Praveen Kumar in 2013
Back in 2013, Praveen Kumar was suspended and issued a show-cause tice by Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for a reported bust-up with an opposition player during a Corporate Trophy game in Bhilai. He was also suspended from taking part in forthcoming inter-state Vijay Hazare Trophy matches.
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Praveen Kumar's international and IPL career
Former India seamer Praveen Kumar had anunced his retirement from all forms of cricket in October 2018. Kumar made his international debut in 5th ODI against Pakistan in Jaipur in 2007 in which he went wicketless from 10 overs and scored 12 runs. But he quickly rose through ranks and became one of India's premier swing bowlers under MS Dhoni's captaincy, especially in limited-overs formats.
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Kumar played 68 ODIs for India in which he took 77 wickets at an aver of 36.02 with three four-wicket hauls. 32-year-old seamer also represented India in 10 T20 internationals in which he took 8 wickets at 24.12. In IPL, Praveen Kumar has played for four IPL franchises which include Royal Challengers Bangalore, Kings XI Punjab, Sunrisers Hyderabad and w-defunct Gujarat Lions. He is one of 17 bowlers who have taken atleast one hat-trick in IPL, which came against Rajasthan Royals in 2010.
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13:00 IST, January 20th 2020