A cobbler by the name of Baskar is one of the most sought after people by cricketers from all stages of the game- Tests, ODIs, IPL, or domestic matches. Baskar calls himself the official cobbler of Chepauk and has helped many top-class cricketers by mending their gear.
He usually sits outside the V Pattabhiraman Gate on Wallajah Road and repairs shoes and other cricketing equipment. Some of the top cricketing stars from around the world — Sachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni, Saeed Anwar, Matthew Hayden, and Dwayne Bravo — have sought his help when their footwear or pad or gloves needed that extra care.
He makes Rs 500 per day, but when April-May comes, festivities happen for him. Thanks to Chennai Super Kings, his business multiplied in those months. He has been given a place behind the sightscreen, where he sits during the Yellow Brigade’s seven home matches in the IPL.
“IPL without fans is like marriage without guests, but it will happen,” says Irfan Pathan
“I got Rs 1,000 per match and CSK players took good care of me. At the end of the season, players and coaches would pool in and hand it over to me. Last year, I got around Rs 25,000, apart from what Dhoni gave me separately. But this year...” his voice sank.
With the IPL 2020 postponed due to the Coronavirus pandemic, Baskar and his family of seven are finding it difficult to survive, often sleeping hungry for days.
“My sons are without any job and have their families now. I had some savings and managed with that. Had I known such a day will come, I would have saved more,” he says.
Though he took his usual spot outside the stadium two weeks back, he was struggling to earn even Rs 150 a day. However, help came from unexpected quarters as former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan came forward with some money.
Cricket presenter Raunak Kapoor shared how Irfan Pathan helped the troubled cobbler in his Twitter post captioned,” With very little about humanity & acts of kindness to cheer you up these days, @IrfanPathan redeems some hope.”
“Last week Irfan Pathan sent some money (Rs 25,000). I bought groceries for the family. Since there was no work, I had borrowed money and have to pay it back. I don’t know how I will survive. If cricket doesn’t return soon, I will be gone. I struggled when there were no IPL matches in Chennai for two years. In 2018, I was looking forward to it when something happened and matches were gone (due to protests over the Cauvery water issue). Now this,” Baskar spoke with concern.
(newindianexpress.com inputs)
