Praveenkumar Sakat Singh (pronunciationⓘ, born 2 October 1983) is a former Indian cricketer who bowled right-arm medium-pace.[1] In first-class cricket, he played for Uttar Pradesh cricket team. He relied on his ability to swing the ball both ways along with line and length.[1] In October 2018, he announced his retirement from all forms of cricket. He was a part of the Indian squad which won the 2010 Asia Cup.[2]
Personal life
Praveenkumar Sakat Singh was born in Meerut on 2 October 1983,[1] to police head constable Sakat Singh.[3][4] He married Sapna Choudhary in 2010, a national-level shooting sport player.[5]
He owns a farmhouse in Barnava village and Praveen Restaurant and Wedding Banquet in Meerut on NH-58 Rohta Road Crossing.[6]
He entered politics by joining Samajwadi Party before the UP assembly.
Kumar has had well-documented struggles with stress-related illnesses, which he has worked hard to rectify. According to ESPNcricinfo, he once beat up a doctor after having mud splashed on clothes by said doctor's car as Kumar stepped out of a shop where he had gone to buy a gun. The beating was administered in a glassware shop, which sustained damage.[7]
Kumar revealed that he had contemplated suicide due to his mental health and loneliness and had chosen to undergo therapy.[8]
He established himself as the premier opening bowler for India in the ODIs from 2008 to 2010. He was selected for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 but owing to an injury was replaced by Sreesanth.
Test Debut for India
He made his Test debut against West Indies cricket team at Kingston in June 2011. He took a five wicket haul in the first Test match of India tour of England, 2011.
In 2008 while playing for RCB in a match against Rajasthan Royals he hit the joint biggest six in the history of the IPL.[10] The shot which came off the bowling of Yusuf Pathan was measured at 124m in distance equally the record of Chennai Super KingsAlbie Morkel in the same season.[11]
After going unsold in IPL 2014 Auction, Mumbai Indians signed him as their replacement for the injured Zaheer Khan. Zaheer, who played six games, was ruled out for the rest of the IPL 2014 season after straining his left latissimus dorsi muscle.[12]