For many passengers, an auto ride through Bengaluru is simply a way to get from one place to another. But for one passenger, a routine ride turned into a chance encounter with a man whose life has taken an unexpected turn. In March 2025, HR professional Gayatri Gopakumar shared on LinkedIn how she discovered that her auto driver, Gurumurthy N, was not only driving an auto in Bengaluru’s Malleshwaram but was also a professional table tennis coach. Her post brought attention to his unusual journey, from coaching Karnataka’s state-level players to driving an autorickshaw for a living. Scroll down to read more…
From the table to the driver’s seat
Gurumurthy’s connection with table tennis began when he was a child. According to The Bridge, he picked up the sport at the age of eight after watching his uncle, who was a coach, play. He eventually moved from playing to coaching and obtained ITTF Level 1 and Level 2 coaching certifications. He later worked with Tenvic Sports, a company founded by former Indian cricketer Anil Kumble, before starting his own academy in Bengaluru. His coaching career included working with Karnataka’s U-12 and U-14 state teams. He has also said that he coached Archana Kamath, who later represented India at the international level, when she was part of the Karnataka U-14 team in 2012. For a while, coaching was his full-time profession. He ran a Bengaluru table tennis academy with four tables and trained around 30 students, conducting several hours of coaching each day. Then came Covid-19.
When the pandemic changed everything
Like thousands of people whose livelihoods depended on physical interaction, Gurumurthy’s coaching work was disrupted when the pandemic brought sporting activities and training sessions to a halt.
With his academy unable to operate normally, he eventually turned to driving an auto-rickshaw to earn a living. Reports identify Malleshwaram as his base in Bengaluru. But the change in profession did not mean he had abandoned table tennis. Instead, he found a way to keep the door open.
His auto became his calling card
Inside his auto, Gurumurthy placed a small poster telling passengers that he was a professional table tennis coach and inviting people looking for training to get in touch. The notice specifically mentioned individuals, clubs, apartment clubhouses and schools, effectively turning his auto into an unlikely advertisement for the profession he still hoped to pursue. It was this simple detail that caught Gopakumar’s attention during her ride.She later described Gurumurthy as professional, patient and respectful, and said the encounter reminded her that a person’s profession does not necessarily define their abilities or ambitions.
More than an “inspiring” story
What truly distinguishes Gurumurthy’s narrative from others is not just the fact that he juggles two different professions. Rather, it is the underlying reason that compelled him to take up the second job that makes his story unique and compelling. Driving an auto rickshaw was not merely an alternative to his primary passion; instead, it transformed into a crucial means of earning his livelihood after unforeseen circumstances brought his coaching career to an unexpected halt. Nevertheless, he has maintained a strong identification with his role as a coach despite the challenges. His journey also presents a more understated yet powerful illustration of resilience: it’s not always about making a grand comeback, but rather about diligently preserving a dream and keeping it alive while engaging in whatever work is essential to make ends meet.