In the heart of Madhya Pradesh, two boys from contrasting corners of Jabalpur have scripted an unforgettable chapter of perseverance and passion. Safin Ali and Pratham Uikey, both raw, fiery fast bowlers, have emerged victorious in the Jabalpur Royal Lions’ Talent Hunt program—earning a coveted place in the team for the upcoming Madhya Pradesh League T20 Scindia Cup 2025, starting June 12. The Jabalpur team takes the field for their first match on June 13, and with it, these two boys will carry the dreams of hundreds like them—unsung, unheard, but never unworthy.
Cricket was Safin's only escape
From the cramped streets of Sarafa, Aliganj, 20-year-old Safin Ali has battled more than just batters. Son of Ashfaq Ali, who runs a small garage, Safin grew up in a joint family of 12 with little money but big dreams. A school dropout after the 12th grade, cricket was his only escape.
Safin cycled 30 KM daily
Without proper gear or coaching, he’d cycle 30 kilometers daily to the Ground, training with borrowed balls and stitched-up shoes. “After so much hard work it’s a very big moment for me as I will be the part of the Jabalpur team,” he reflects. Inspired by Mohammed Siraj’s grit and Virat Kohli’s fire, Safin put in the hard yards, turning raw pace into a weapon.
'This team gave me platform to express myself'
When he got picked in the final squad of Jabalpur Royal Lions, his eyes welled up. “I didn’t have spikes, but I had dreams. This team gave me platform to express myself,” he whispered to his father, who broke down, clutching his grease-stained hands in silent pride.
Pratham’s cricket journey began with tennis ball cricket
Like him, 19-year-old Pratham Uikey, who comes from Shahpura, a remote village on the outskirts of Jabalpur, had fire in himself too. Son of Ramgopal Uikey, who works at a tractor agency, Pratham’s cricket journey began with tennis ball cricket. His talent caught the attention of coaches at JP Academy in Ranital, nearly 30 kilometers away. Every morning, he’d wake before sunrise, travel hours, and still bowl with venom in the nets.
A dream come true moment for the family
“The return journey hurt more than my legs, because I didn’t know if it would all be worth it,” he says. His idols? Dale Steyn for the thunder, Kohli for the hunger. At the Talent Hunt, his run-up thundered across the pitch. His delivery hit the top of off-stump—and hit the selectors hard. When his name was announced, it was a dream come true moment for his family.
'They came from families where each rupee was measured'
Speaking about the talent hunt and the addition of these grassroot-level cricketers from Jabalpur to the team, Luv Malik, representative of the The Jabalpur Royal Lions said, "Our Talent Hunt wasn’t just about cricket. It was about hope. About recognition. About providing a platform to those who had the fire but not the spotlight. These boys didn’t come from academies with turf wickets or fancy gear. They came from families where each rupee was measured, each evening was uncertain. And yet, with nothing in hand but belief, they bowled their hearts out—and today, wear the Lion’s badge with pride."
As Jabalpur gears up for the Scindia Cup, all eyes will be on the professionals. But the loudest cheers will be reserved for two boys—Safin Ali and Pratham Uikey—who didn’t just win a spot, they won a city’s heart. Because cricket is not just played with talent. It’s played with soul.
Prakash Kumar Pandey