Former cricketer Praveen Kumar allegedly beats up man, pushes a 7-yr-old

A man in Uttar Pradesh’s Meerut alleged that his neighbour and former Indian cricketer Praveen Kumar thrashed him and pushed his seven-year-old son. The man further claimed that the 33-year-old Praveen was inebriated and misbehaved with a bus driver.  

“I was waiting for my son at the bus stop at 3:00 pm. Kumar arrived at the spot, came out of his car and abused the bus driver first and later abused me. He was in an inebriated condition. Later, he thrashed me and fractured my hand,” the victim told ANI. He claimed that the police refused to register his complaint due to the cricketer’s position. "Kumar also pushed my son who has suffered injury in his back. Now the police are forcing me to compromise. Moreover, I have started receiving death threats," he further added. 

Soon after intervening into the matter, the Superintendent of Police (City) Akhilesh Narayan Singh said, “Both of them are neighbours and they have informed the police about the incident. We are investigating the matter based on their statements. Further action will be taken accordingly. The medical process has also been done.” However, Praveen Kumar's statement into the matter is yet to come.

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Known for his ability to swing the ball both ways at any kind of pitch, Praveen has had disciplinary issues both on and off the field through his career. This was, however, not the first time that Praveen hogged the limelight for all the wrong reasons. He apparently came to blows with a doctor in Meerut in 2008. Three years later, he was again involved in an ugly spat with spectators in Port of Spain during India’s tour to the West Indies.

The former Indian seamer announced his retirement from all forms of cricket in 2018. He made his international debut in the 5th ODI against Pakistan in Jaipur in 2007. He was quick to gain through the ranks and became one of India's premier swing bowlers under MS Dhoni's captaincy, especially in the limited-overs formats. 

He has played 68 ODIs overall for the country with a total of 77 wickets at an average of 36.02 with three four-wicket hauls. In 6 Tests, all of which he played away from home, Praveen took 27 wickets at 25.81 with one five-wicket haul. He played 3 Tests in England picking 15 wickets and three in West Indies getting 12 wickets in total. He also represented India in 10 T20 internationals in which he took 8 wickets at 24.12.