KDG Nagar in Davangere has never been so festive before. Yes, they have reason to celebrate. Local boy Vinay Kumar has made it big; he's been selected to represent India in next month's T20 World Cup in the West Indies.
His mother Soubagya and brother Madhusoodhan are on cloud nine.
"It is the sweetest news I have heard till date. Our boy's efforts have paid off," says Madhusoodhan.
"I had a gut feeling that this would happen. He is a very passionate boy and has worked very hard. He was from a small town and, hence, had to put in double the effort. The manner in which he is playing in the IPL itself gave me hope that he would make it to the team," he adds.
Vinay's interest in cricket was born when he was eight years of age.
"At that age he said that he wanted to be a batsman and was focusing more on that. He used to go to the nearby ground and play, until one day Prakash Pawar, his coach, spotted him.
"Pawar Sir told him that he should aim at becoming an all-rounder; he also told him to concentrate on his bowling. Since then there was no looking back.
"You don't know how it feels sir when I see my brother stand on the same ground which the greats like Sachin Tendulkar stand. I cannot explain that feeling. He has always worked for that and today he has achieved it.
"Being selected for the T20 team is the first step, and I have no doubt that he will make it to both the Test and one-day squad very soon. Vinay will be India's main bowler very soon," says Madhusoodhan.
Vinay's mother was very emotional as she spoke.
"Cricket was always his first love. My husband Ranganath and I never discouraged him. He showed more interest towards sports than his studies. At the age of eight he told me, 'I want to make a career out of cricket. I don't want to work as anything else. I just want to be a cricketer'.
"It never worried me that he gave more importance to cricket. I never shouted at him even once. He was a good boy and did well; his studies never worried me. He completed his Bachelor of Arts course without any problem, but we had accepted the fact that he only wanted to play for the country. That dream has come true.
Both mother and brother say there will be celebrations in Davangere.
"Come down sir and you will see how happy this entire town is. See how proud our boy has made all of them."
