How many die-hard cricket fans will be willing to sacrifice their income for a couple of days if India wins the World Cup?
Not many, but a 30-year-old autorickshaw driver in the city has announced he will do so — he has offered free rides for two days.
Meet ‘Speed’ Murugesh, the autorickshaw driver who operates from a stand on Greams Road. A huge poster, with pictures of Virat Kohli and M.S. Dhoni, announcing the offer is stuck on his vehicle. It also carries his mobile phone number (9551535383) for passengers to contact in case the team emerges victorious.
“I have been crazy about cricket since my school days. In fact, I played for my school team and I now play tennis ball matches at the Gopalapuram ground,” says the tall and well-built youngster.
On an average, he earns around Rs. 1,000 every day. “I save around Rs. 700, after all other expenses. So, if India wins, I will be foregoing nearly Rs. 1,500 as I have announced free rides for two days in my auto, from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., to any destination in the city,” he says.
“In 2011 too, I offered free rides in my rented vehicle. The Tamil Nadu Cricket Association gifted me Rs. 1 lakh after learning about my gift to society. With the money, I purchased a new autorickshaw,” says Murugesh, who earned the prefix ‘Speed’ to his name for his athletic skills.
In fact, he married a cricket lover in 2011. “We got acquainted because of my offer and got married. Now, I have a six-month-old child,” he says.
The driver also sponsors cricket bats and balls for children in his locality in Porur and also screens matches on a big screen.
“I am sure India will retain the World Cup. We have the best team,” he says before speeding away in his autorickshaw.
Thirty-year-old autorickshaw driver has offered free rides for two days
