Worked In Tile Factory & Earned Rs 35 A Day, This Cricketer Became India's Unsung Hero Of 2011 World Cup: The Inspiring Story Of...
Last Updated: August 22, 2025, 15:45 ISTMunaf Patel was once branded as the fastest bowler in India. Such was his impression that even the great Sachin Tendulkar took note and managed to convince Gujarat-born pacer to represent Mumbai in domestic cricket. He bowled really fast initially but a shoulder injury meant his pace dropped alarmingly. Injuries and inconsistency hindered his international career. However, luck was on his side when he ended up making the cut in India’s 2011 ODI World Cup squad after Praveen Kumar was ruled out due to an injury. Munaf finished as the 3rd-highest wicket-taker for India in the tournament as they became the champions. As a kid Munaf faced financial hardships – his father worked in someone else’s farm, and he would get new clothes once a year on Eid.1 / 11 True to his nature and humble beginnings, Munaf Patel continues to stay away from the limelight. Never the one who sought the limelight, Munaf was known to be a no-nonsense guy who would avoid going to the after-match parties till being assured by his close friend Gautam Gambhir that drinking isn't compulsory to attend them. (AFP Photo)2 / 11 Born in Gujarat, Munaf Patel was first spotted by former India wicketkeeper Kiran More and once he caught Sachin Tendulkar's eye, the young fast bowling sensation was convinced to represent Mumbai instead in domestic cricket. (AFP)ADVERTISEMENT3 / 11 Munaf Patel was once considered to be the fastest Indian fast bowler. Once spotted, he was sent to MRF pace academy to hone his craft. However, couple of years before his India debut, Munaf suffered a shoulder injury following which he had to drop his pace. (Picture Credit: IG/munafpatel13)4 / 11 Munaf Patel's India debut came in 2006 after he impressed during a practice match for a Board's President XI against England, taking 10 wickets in the match. He went on to play 13 Tests, 70 ODIs and three T20Is, taking 125 wickets in them. (Picture Credit: IG/munafpatel13)ADVERTISEMENT5 / 11 A simpleton to the core, Munaf was once chided by commentators on air during a match for not tucking his shirt inside. There was a controversy and reportedly Rahul Dravid told him to just tuck his shirt in to end the furor. Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh and Virender Sehwag sympathised with Munaf and said they won't tuck in their shirt either from the next match. (Picture Credit: IG/munafpatel13)6 / 11 Munaf Patel told The Indian Express that he didn't do it on purpose as he was used to it thanks to the school he went to as a kid where kids didn't wear white shoes and tuck in their shirt. (Picture Credit: IG/munafpatel13)ADVERTISEMENT7 / 11 Munaf Patel's childhood was spent facing hardships. His father worked in someone else's farm; there wasn't enough food at home and new clothes were a luxury they could afford only during Eid and even that wasn't a frequent affair. A frustrated Munaf, during vacations, would work in a tile factory where he would get Rs 35 per day for an eight-hour shift. (AFP Photo)8 / 11 Munaf Patel wanted to play cricket but his father asked him to quit playing and start working. The village he grew up in, people didn't know that cricket could offer a good living. Eventually, someone in the village helped him buy shoes and took him to Baroda to pursue his cricket team. (Picture Credit: IG/munafpatel13)ADVERTISEMENT9 / 11 Munaf Patel initially trained under Kiran More who then arranged for him to be sent at the MRF Pace Academy in Chennai from where the right-arm pacer's career took off. (AFP Photo)10 / 11 Munaf Patel's form and fitness meant he fell out of favour but an injury to Praveen Kumar opened up a spot in India's 2011 World Cup squad and he was called up. Munaf finished the tournament with 11 wickets - the third highest for India in the competition. India won the title, and Munaf was later hailed as the "unsung hero" of the triumph. (AFP Photo)ADVERTISEMENT
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