Raju Bhandari : From Struggle to the Cricket Field…

He Refused to Stop Without Support; Believing in Himself, He Built His Identity in Cricket Through Hard Work

Raju Narayan Bhandari: 3,227 Runs and 131 Wickets in Leather-Ball Cricket While Balancing a Career in Finance — Now Aiming to Prove Himself on the MPCL Stage

In cricket, some players begin their journey with the backing of reputed academies, experienced coaches and excellent facilities. Others have to create their own path with limited resources and opportunities. Raju Narayan Bhandari belongs to the second category.

At the age of 36, while continuing his career in the finance sector, Bhandari remains actively involved in leather-ball cricket. Through consistent performances in local cricket, he has built a strong identity for himself, recording 3,227 runs and 131 wickets in 216 matches as an all-rounder.

These numbers are impressive, but the real significance of Raju Bhandari’s journey lies behind the statistics — a story of struggle, his mother’s sacrifices, unwavering self-belief and relentless hard work despite limited opportunities.

The Loss of His Father and the Responsibility on His Family

Raju’s struggle began at a very young age.

In 2007, his father passed away when Raju was studying in the ninth standard. The sudden loss placed the responsibility of the family on his mother. Facing financial difficulties, she took up a job as a school peon to ensure that her son’s education did not come to a halt.

Because of his mother’s hard work and determination, Raju continued his education and eventually completed his graduation.

His mother’s struggle left a deep impression on him and shaped his attitude towards life. It taught him never to give up, regardless of how difficult the circumstances may be.

“My mother struggled a lot for me. From her, I learned that no matter how difficult the circumstances are, you should never give up.”

That one sentence explains much of the inspiration behind Raju’s cricketing journey.

A Passion for Cricket, But Opportunities Came Late

Raju had a passion for cricket from childhood. During his early years, Virender Sehwag, known for his aggressive batting, was one of his biggest inspirations.

Today, Rohit Sharma is his favourite cricketer. He particularly admires Rohit’s timing, composure and ability to shift gears and attack at the right moment.

However, having a passion for cricket and getting opportunities to pursue it are two very different things.

Education, family responsibilities and employment meant that Raju did not receive the opportunities he had hoped for during the early stages of his cricketing journey. Yet, he never chose to walk away from the sport.

The Lockdown Became a Turning Point

The COVID-19 lockdown created obstacles for millions of people. For Raju Bhandari, however, it became an opportunity to work on his game.

Without the backing of a major cricket academy, he began self-practice.

He worked on his batting technique, shot selection, fitness and off-spin bowling. Although he did not have access to extensive training facilities, he focused on making the best possible use of the resources available to him.

This period marked a new beginning in his cricketing journey.

2023: Entry into Mumbai’s Local Cricket

After the lockdown, Raju realised that practice alone was not enough; he needed match experience.

In 2023, he began playing Mumbai local cricket by paying match fees himself.

Playing matches at his own expense, gaining experience from every game and proving himself through performances became his real cricketing education.

Despite not having a big name or a strong cricketing background behind him, he treated every match as an opportunity to prove his ability.

2024: Building an Identity in Vasai-Virar

In 2024, Raju Bhandari began playing for local cricket clubs in Vasai-Virar.

With consistent participation and performances, he gradually established himself in the local leather-ball cricket circuit.

Today, Raju Bhandari is a familiar name among several leather-ball cricket clubs in the Vasai-Virar region. This recognition has not come through a powerful cricketing network or major institutional support, but through consistent practice, match experience and the determination to prove himself.

Aggressive with the Bat, Effective with the Ball

One of Raju Bhandari’s biggest strengths is his versatility as an all-rounder.

He is a right-handed middle-order batsman and right-arm off-spin bowler.

His role in the middle order is to accelerate the innings according to the match situation, play attacking strokes and contribute with the ball whenever required.

His favourite shot is the Cow Corner Lofted Shot, which reflects his aggressive approach to batting.

Playing Profile

• Batting: Right-Handed Middle Order
• Bowling: Right-Arm Off-Spin
• Role: All-Rounder
• Favourite Shot: Cow Corner Lofted Shot
• Favourite Cricketers: Rohit Sharma and Virender Sehwag

3,227 Runs and 194 Sixes — An Aggressive Batting Record

Raju’s batting statistics in leather-ball cricket offer a clear glimpse into his attacking style.

In 216 matches, he has recorded:

• 3,227 runs
• Highest Score: 107
• Centuries: 1
• Half-Centuries: 12
• Sixes: 194
• Batting Strike Rate: 142.6

A strike rate of 142.6 and 194 sixes underline his aggressive approach with the bat.

Coming into the middle order and changing the momentum of an innings is one of the defining aspects of his game.

131 Wickets — A Significant Contribution with the Ball

His contribution with the ball is equally noteworthy.

With 131 wickets in 216 matches, Raju has demonstrated his value as a genuine all-rounder.

Bowling Statistics

• Wickets: 131
• Best Bowling: 4/14
• Bowling Average: 19.18
• Economy Rate: 7.48
• Bowling Strike Rate: 15.37
• Dot Balls: 915

The figure of 915 dot balls reflects his ability to build pressure on batsmen.

Through his off-spin, he looks to restrict scoring opportunities and create wicket-taking chances whenever possible.

Balancing a Career, Responsibilities and Cricket

Playing regular cricket while working in the finance sector is a challenge in itself.

Managing a full working day, followed by practice sessions, matches and physical preparation requires considerable discipline and time management.

Raju, however, never allowed his career and cricket to become competing priorities. Instead, he continued to pursue both with determination.

For him, cricket is more than just a hobby.

It is an unfinished dream — one that he continues to work towards even today.

At 36, the Target Remains Big — MPCL

After establishing his identity in local cricket, Raju Bhandari is now looking towards the Maharashtra Professional Cricket League (MPCL) as his next major opportunity.

At 36, his confidence has not diminished. Instead, years of match experience, his all-round ability and his performances in local cricket have strengthened his desire to compete on a bigger platform.

If given an opportunity in MPCL, his goal is to make a meaningful contribution to the team as both a batsman and an off-spin bowler.

“Don’t Stop Your Journey Because You Lack Support”

Raju Bhandari’s message to emerging and local cricketers is simple and powerful:

“Even if no one supports you in the beginning, or if opportunities don’t come your way, don’t get discouraged. Believe in yourself. Practice on your own and make the most of every opportunity you get. If you have hard work, consistency and self-confidence, circumstances will definitely change.”

This message comes directly from his own experience, because he too began his journey under similar circumstances.

Raju Narayan Bhandari — The Numbers Tell a Different Story

Performance	Statistics
Leather-Ball Matches	216
Runs	3,227
Highest Score	107
Centuries	1
Half-Centuries	12
Sixes	194
Batting Strike Rate	142.6
Wickets	131
Best Bowling	4/14
Bowling Average	19.18
Economy Rate	7.48
Bowling Strike Rate	15.37
Dot Balls	915

2007 to 2026: From Struggle to a Dream

2007 — Father passed away

9th Standard — Faced major family circumstances while continuing education

Mother’s Struggle — Took up employment as a school peon to support her son’s education

Graduation — Completed higher education

Finance Sector — Began his professional career

Since Childhood — Continued his passion for cricket

COVID-19 Lockdown — Started intensive self-practice and focused on leather-ball cricket

2023 — Entered Mumbai local cricket

2024 — Became actively involved in local cricket in Vasai-Virar

Thereafter — Established an identity in leather-ball cricket

Today — 3,227 runs and 131 wickets

Next Goal — Prove himself on the MPCL stage

He Did Not Get the Opportunity — So He Created His Own Path

The story of Raju Narayan Bhandari is not merely the story of a cricketer’s statistics. It is the story of a player who overcame circumstances and created his own path.

His father’s death, his mother’s struggle to keep his education going, the responsibility of balancing employment with cricket, and his decision to develop his game through self-practice without major cricketing support — each stage shaped his journey.

Today, his name stands alongside 3,227 runs and 131 wickets. But more significant than these numbers is his willingness, even at the age of 36, to continue stepping onto the field with the hunger to prove himself.

A journey that began in local cricket is now looking towards the bigger platform of MPCL.

Because for Raju Bhandari, age is not a barrier, and lack of support is not defeat.

His belief is simple:

“Don’t wait for an opportunity; keep working hard and create your own opportunity.”

Perhaps that is what takes a person from someone who simply plays cricket to a cricketer who creates an identity of his own.