Posted On August 17, 2025
Mangesh Raut's journey is a remarkable tale of perseverance and passion. Born in Wardha, Maharashtra, to a government servant father and a teacher mother, with an agricultural background, Mangesh was a bright sportsman in his youth. He excelled in handball and ball badminton, representing Maharashtra at the national level.
However, his life took a different turn when his father fell ill during his graduation days. To support his family, Mangesh dropped out of college and started working in sales. His exceptional personality and skills propelled him forward in his career, and he became a divisional manager at LG Electronics. Later, he took on the role of CEO at a medical college in Nagpur.
A turning point came when Mangesh received an opportunity to collaborate with MS Dhoni to establish India's first residential cricket academy in Nagpur. Leaving his corporate job behind, Mangesh co-founded the SGR MS Dhoni Residential Cricket Academy with his younger brother Lavlesh Raut. Today, the academy attracts young talent from across the globe, including India, the US, UK, and South Africa. The academy's students have gone on to shine in various formats of cricket, and renowned players regularly visit the academy.
Mangesh's story is a testament to his hardworking attitude and dedication to sports. By creating a platform for young cricketers to hone their skills, he has made a lasting impact on the sports industry ¹.