Mumbai, March 15 -- Every player dreams of reaching the pinnacle of their sport, and the journey is often characterized by unwavering dedication, years of training, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. But for most players, the path to professional success is a challenging one, and very few get to taste the glory of the highest level of competition.

For 17-year-old, Akash Gautam, who has had a memorable season in the inaugural edition of the Indian Street Premier League (ISPL), ongoing at the Dadoji Kondadev Stadium in Thane, cashed in on the opportunity when it came to him. The KVN Bangalore Strikers bought him for Rs 3.4 Lakh during the auction, as per an ISPL press release.

When Akash was in Class 10 studying at a private school i...