Sai's triumph over pain can inspire Jugraj

MUMBAI: One sportsman who can empathise with hockey star Jugraj Singh, laid low by a crash injury is Sairaj Bahutule, the Indian Test cricketer, currently training with the Indian probables at the camp at Bangalore camp.
Thirteen years ago on July 28, Sai suffered similar injuries as Jugraj in a terrible crash at Mumbai''s Marine Drive. Killed in that crash was his friend Vivek Singh, the son of the famous singing duo Jagjit and Chitra, who was at the wheel of the Maurti Gypsy, which rammed into a stationary BEST van which was repairing the lights which had been shut.
Sai, who was sitting behind him, escaped with multiple fractures. Rahul Muzumdar, who was also injured, was sitting next to Vivek, had a bad jaw injury and both hands fractured, while a fourth friend escaped as the three had dropped him off earlier.
How Sai recovered from that injury could give a clue as to how Jugraj could pick up the pieces. The doctors have ruled out Jugraj for eight months. Dr Lahiri had ruled out Sai playing for a year. As his mother Keerti recalls: "Sai''s elbow had been crushed, his femur bone of the right leg had been fractured. They inserted a steel rod and kept it for a year."
Jugraj has a pelvis injury. Bahutule was suspected to have this too for there was a cut. Thankfully, it was not not deep enough to reach the pelvic bone and that was one worry less How then did Sai pick up the pieces? "He has a strong mind. He was bedridden for a month. The doctors at Nair hospital, Dr Shirish Bhagwat and Dr Trimurthi Nadkarni did wonders with the physiotherapy. Sai was playing for his college, Podar, in six months’ time. He was just 17."
Bahutule''s coach Vithal Patil recalls: "It was a painful sight to see Sai get down from the bus and limp to wards the nets. But he was keen to play. So we played along and allowed him. And he did well. Determination can remove barriers."
One didn''t want to open old sores by asking Bahutule about it again as he was preparing for the upcoming Challenger series. But it had to be done as he could provide the inputs for Jugraj to get back on the road. Speaking from the bus that took the team from the ground to the hotel Bahutule said: "I am sure if Jugraj is determined and does his physiotherapy well he can get back to normalcy."
Talking of his days of pain, Sairaj said: "The steel rod inserted into the thigh would pain. It was upsetting, thoughts about rot setting in, being laid up in bed and walking on crutches. But there was no go. I was also thinking of playing again."
How smooth was the comeback. "I failed in the collegiate game. Even if I ran a little the leg would pain. But there was an under-19 game where I did well. I got the confidence back." And the support of my parents, friends and doctors did the rest.
Bahutule was picked for the BCA Mafatlal Bowlers Scheme under Frank Tyson even though he was not a quick bowler. He sharpened his skills with bat and ball and booked a Mumbai place that he has not lost since. He was named Mumbai Senior Cricketer of the Year.
Now all that remains is for the national selectors to reward his performances, the best by an allrounder last season. And Sairaj Bahutule''s year of wedlock could turn out even more happier and an inspiration for our wounded hero, Jugraj Singh.