Swiggy agent chosen as Netherlands cricket team net bowler ahead of 2023 ODI World Cup: report

As part of their preparation for the global event, Netherlands had advertised for the need of a few local net bowlers and found one, courtesy a Swiggy delivery executive in Chennai. (Representational Image).

With exactly a fortnight to go for the start of the 2023 ODI World Cup in India, teams are preparing in order to get themselves in the best shape possible before the quadrennial event begins.

The Netherlands, who made it to the World Cup after finishing second in the World Cup qualifiers held in Zimbabwe, are currently holding a camp in Bengaluru where they are gearing up for the tournament.

As part of their preparation for the global event, they had advertised for the need of a few local net bowlers and found one, a Swiggy delivery executive from Chennai. He was selected as one of the four net bowlers for the side on Tuesday, a Times of India report said.

Thank you for the overwhelming response to our net bowlers hunt, India. Here the 4 names who will be part of the team's #CWC23 preparations. @ludimospic.twitter.com/arLmtzICYH

— Cricket Netherlands (@KNCBcricket) September 19, 2023

Lokesh Kumar, 29, who currently works as a delivery agent for the online food delivery platform, is a left-arm-pacer-turned-wrist-spin bowler and was chosen to be part of the Netherlands' preparatory camp in Bengaluru."This is one of the most precious moments of my career. I am yet to even play in the TNCA third division league," Kumar, who has been working for Swiggy since 2018, told The Times of India.

Our first training session in India for the #CWC23 began with a small induction ceremony for our four new net bowlers from different parts of India.pic.twitter.com/ug0gHb73tn

— Cricket Netherlands (@KNCBcricket) September 20, 2023

He added that his ability to bowl left-arm wrist spin was an aspect which convinced him to apply for the role. "After seeing the advertisement, I was keen to give it a try. I felt that I would have an edge over others as there are not many wrist spin bowlers in the country. The Netherlands were on the lookout for a mystery spinner and I ticked that box. So, I decided to give it a try," he said.

The other three net bowlers are left-arm pacer Hemant Kumar from Jaipur, Rajamani Prasad from Hyderabad and Harsh Kumar from Kurukshetra.

The Netherlands begin their World Cup campaign on October 6, taking on Pakistan, in Telangana capital Hyderabad.