Harmeet Singh, a former India U19 World Cup champion, has charted an extraordinary path in cricket, now representing the USA on the global stage. Born and raised in Mumbai, Harmeet’s journey began with a passion for football, later transitioning to cricket when a summer camp unveiled his talent. His early days were marked by record-breaking performances in school cricket alongside stars like Rohit Sharma, and guidance from legendary coach Padmakar Shivalkar. Harmeet fondly recalls these formative years as the foundation of his cricketing dreams.

In an exclusive chat with Cricket Times, Harmeet has revealed how he faced numerous challenges for USA, from adapting to an emerging cricketing infrastructure to balancing family life amidst a hectic schedule. Yet, his determination bore fruit, highlighted by his team’s stunning victory over Pakistan in the 2024 T20 World Cup. Reflecting on his IPL stint with Rajasthan Royals and maintaining connections with his U19 teammates, Harmeet continues to inspire with his resilience and vision for USA cricket’s growth

Here are some highlights from the interview:

Q: How did your cricket journey begin?

Harmeet: Just like any other uh kid in India. I used to play football in my school, I was in St Joseph’s Orlem, Malad and then grew up till fifth grade playing football but then I was also playing cricket in my building and apartments with friends and all of that so there was a summer camp which my dad put me into close to our house so I went there. I like the sport and when you play with the actual cricket ball it’s different and the coaches also said that you do have talent so you should pursue the sport and then without you know thinking twice I did start playing cricket and also changed my school to Swami Vivekananda, Borivali where Rohit (Rohit Sharma) also studied and cricket was their major sport and then we went on to break Harris Shield records that is where Dilip Sardesai sir spotted me and at Bombay Jimkhana, so that’s how I started.

Q: Who were your idols while growing up?

Harmeet: First was my coach Padmakar Shivalkar sir and for me the way he picked 600 first class wickets and couldn’t make an international debut that speaks a lot about his class and his perseverance where he never gave up and pursued his career so that’s a very good example and then again I used to watch a lot of Yuvraj Singh, Sourav Ganguly growing up because you know left-handed so yeah like on scr?een I used to love watchi?ng Yuvraj and Sourav.

Q: What challenges did you face after moving to the USA?

Harmeet: In the USA it wasn’t easy because when I came here there was nothing as in what we see now Major League, Minor League the domestic setup USA Cricket doing well and you know the contracts and all of that it wasn’t there so and also infrastructure, the stadium in Dallas that was not there but we were told that this will all come in 3-4 years whatever 2, 3, 4 years and again I took a bet and when I went there during COVID there was no first class season in India so that year 2020 so I was like I’ll just meanwhile doing nothing I rather go there and you know check things out whatever it is and then uh I liked Seattle so uh so I signed the contract there they did my Visa and everything and and then I moved there with my family.

A lot of challenges, I had my kids here so it wasn’t easy for wife also to you know take care because I was always either traveling playing coaching working so and again she opted not to work because the kids were small so all of that and then now we moved to Houston so that I travel less when I’m domestic and now I’m playing International franchise cricket a lot so it’s tough for the family. This is the life I always wanted as a cricketer so again no complaints but you know you have to you every stage you are in in life you will always have a little bit of challenges but again you have to embrace them and find a solution out of it.

Also READ: An Exclusive In??terview with USA rising star Anika Kolan: Role models, U19 leadership, all-time favourite cricketers

Q: How did it feel to defeat Pakistan in the T20 World Cup 2024?

Harmeet: I think since the time we won that game and not only we won the game but then also we went on to give a really tough game to India and South Africa so we moved a lot of pieces there in the world cup and a lot of people were shocked to see the talent we possess. But if you see after the World Cup uh there are a lot of our USA players who have been starting to get a lot of franchise attention so what I feel is you know franchise Cricket what it does is you rub shoulders against the best with the best in your in and around and you know then ??you make a name for yoursel??f and that only helps you to do better.

Also just like how Afghanistan have grown from strength to strength and their guys are now trusted as one of the best franchise cricketers so wherever you go if it’s an Afghani player they’ll pick him right away so I think that’s the name we want to get and and we are getting towards it we are like there are uh a few guys who are getting consistent opportunities there are few guys on and off in uh franchise Cricket so I think it’ll only grow from here and you know how it is evolving uh it is really exciting and you know it is just now we have like a one proper Stadium or maybe two proper stadiums but in years to come if we have very good infrastructure you know uh a national Center like Australia or any test playing Nation uh to train the fast Bowlers and all everything so I think why not we will have everything then.

Q: Are you still in touch with your U19 teammates?

Harmeet: Yeah, on and off we do talk Vihari (Hanuma Vihari) did text in between he wanted me to help one of the Hyderabad players to get to US and so yeah he’s always been nice and Sandeep (Sandeep Sharma) here and there and then Kamal Paasi is a good friend from the World Cup and then. And even Mandeep Singh is a good friend I played 2010 World Cup also so yeah Sanju (Sanju Samson) I met in the World Cup, Kuldeep (Kuldeep Yadav) also I played with a lot of cricket, Chahal (Yuzvendra Chahal) and all of these guys so Axar (Axar Patel) was there in the under 19 India team when we went for Asia cup I think one of the tours I think so yeah at that time all of us were at the same level and together playing and now at least I’m happy that all three of them are playing for India so that’s very good.

Q: You were part of Rajasthan Royals in IPL. Tell us about that experience?

Harmeet: it was one of the finest and also became one of the scariest later when all the fixing things happened but finest in the sense that I got to share the dressing room with Rahul Dravid, Shane Watson and Ajinkya Rahane and all of the stalwarts of world cricket. Brad Hodge was there, one of the finest franchise cricket player or finest team T20 player so all of those experiences which I took from there, I’m still trying to use it in in my career. I wish I could get more opportunities in the IPL but only got one game so again I wouldn’t say I failed there but if there was sufficient opportunities and I failed it was fine but I just wish there were more opportunities with white ball cricket in India.

Watch the full interview:

Also READ: An Exclusive Interv??iew with USA all-rounder Geetika Kodali: Role models, Fitness regime, favourite cricketing memories

For latest cricket news & updates, visit betvisa68.com.

Sneh Rana, an illustrious all-rounder hailing from the picturesque town of Uttarakhand, has emerged as a formidable force in the realm of women’s cricket. Born on February 18, 1994, she has captivated audiences with her exceptional prowess as a right-handed batter and off-spin bowler. Rana’s cricketing odyssey is a tapestry woven with remarkable comebacks, stellar performances, and an indomitable spirit that exemplifies the essence of perseverance.

In an exclusive and revealing conversation with Cricket Times, Rana delves into the intricacies of her journey, sharing insights that illuminate both the triumphs and tribulations she has encountered along the way. With refreshing candor??, she reflects on the relentless challenges of maintaining peak fitness as a female athlete in a demanding sport. Her narrative is not ?just one of personal achievement; it serves as an inspiring testament to the dedication and resilience required to thrive in a competitive landscape.

As she recounts her experiences, from pivotal matches to the daily grind of training, Rana emerges not only as a talented cricketer but also as a role model for aspiring athletes. Her story resonates deeply within th?e cricketing community and beyond, inspiring countless individuals to pursue their passions with unwavering determination.

Here are some highlights from the interview:

Q. Coming from Uttarakhand, how did your cricketing journey begin?

Rana: Yeah, so I started very young, I loved playing cricket and used to go and play with the boys, our school used to have tennis ball cricket matches where I used to participate adamantly. Therefore, I started like every other India cricket?er playing on ?the streets, and that’s that, a start.

Q. How did you overcome your injury break and what helped you stage a comeback?

Rana: See, any player with an injury always has a risk factor involved, and about the time that when will you are likely to make a comeback. But keeping all things aside, I am really gr?ateful to my family who supported me at that time. Talking about the injury, first three months were really difficult being on a bed rest for three straight?? months missing out on the game and involvement with it. I was very positive with the support of my family and friends that everything will eventually fall into place.

Also READ: An Exclusive Interview with star India player Punam?? Raut: Role models, cricketing journey, favourite memories, Women’s O??DI World Cup 2017 setback

Q. What do you think are some of the biggest hurdles female cricketers face today?

Rana: See when we talk about men’s cricket and women’s cricket, women’s cricket is a bit more challenging for female cricketers, as we all know there’s a menstrual cycle that comes int?o the picture, where women need to deal with various issues suck as cramps, mood swings etc. Cricket as a game now has been in limelight but it wasn’t that popular before, but speaking about difficulties, girls faced many hurdles earlier which women went through to make a name in this game. Yes, there are many more problems but I am sure we all will eventually able to make it through with a strong mindset.

Q. Who or what inspired you to take up cricket as a professional sport?

Rana: I started cricket as a fun activity and took this sport as a fun venture, later on when I got good at it, people’s appreciations and media coverage for the sport did help me to take this up as a professional sport. Earlier at my time when I was just starting there were only two names Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami which eventually also leaned me towards the sport. Speaking about inspiration I would really like to say the player, I have seen and grown is MS Dhoni, on field and off?? the field he has been an inspira?tion and learning to how to handle a tough situation.

Q. What qualities are essential for someone to become a successful cricketer?

Rana: The first and foremost thing is discipline, the more disciplined you are the more heights you will achieve, second is your behaviour, how you are talking to people to everyone, this is something ??which gets counted in terms of being successful, and the last is your atti??tude, how you are taking up the results, because sports is something that has many ups and lows which indeed tests a character of the player. A player needs to have a never dying attitude but for me if you ask, discipline is the most important trait a player should have.

Here’s the full interview:

Also READ: An Exclusive Interview with ?New Zealand star Xara Jetly: Netball to Cricket, Dream wickets and favourite IPL ??team

This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.

For latest cricket news & updates, visit betvisa68.com.

Who doesn’t know Yashasvi Jaiswal today? This young player has impressed in a very short time. Jaiswal has recently scored heaps of runs in the Test series against Australia. With relation to young opener’s recent run, his childhood coach Jwala Singh engaged in an exclusive conversation with Cricket Times. During this, he gave his opinion on his journey and Jaiswal’s recent performance and also mentioned Prithvi Shaw, wh??o is currently going through a bad p?hase. Here are some excerpts from the conversation.

Question: You are currently coaching young boys in Mumbai, and you are originally from Gorakhpur in UP. How was the journey from UP to Mumbai? Where did it all begin?

Singh: See, I was very young when I started in Gorakhpur. I was very good in studies. In 1992, the World Cup was going on, and India had defeated Pakistan. I used to read about Sachin Tendulkar and Ramakant Achrekar Sir and I also became interested in playing cricket at the professional level.

I read magazines like Cricket Samraat where I saw Sachin’s name. I felt that I too have to make a name in cricket. Then I played a little in Gorakhpur because my father gave me a cricket kit. But I was advised that I would not get many opportunities there. People used to say that if you stay here, nothing will happen, so I decided to come to Mumbai. I came to Mumbai in 1995. My journey was very difficult from the beginning. When I came to Mumbai, my father brought me. The conditions in Mumbai were very different – in Gorakhpur we lived in a big house, but in Mumbai three-four people lived in a small room. My struggle-filled journey started from here.

Also READ: An Exclusi??ve Interview with Satyam Dixit: A cricketer by profession ?and a very close friend of Indian spinner Kuldeep Yadav

Question: How do you recognize talent in players?

Singh: Our academy is quite big and we offer coaching at different levels. We have 40 to? 45 coache??s and around 50 to 60 staff members for different levels of players. However, I personally focus on those kids in whom I see attitude, hard work and dedication towards the game. Take the example of Jaiswal. His determination and dedication impressed me, and hence I helped him move forward.

Question: Jaiswal was out on zero in the first innings of the Perth Test, after which speculations started whether this young player would be able to play well in Australia or not, what was going on in your mind at that time?

Singh: I think I was and will always be very confident about him because there are some players who adapt quickly to the situation and understand the game well. I think Yashasvi has that art, he understands the game, he stays in the present and he has all those things. Along with skill, he also has mental toughness, so I knew from the beginn??ing that he would score runs in Australia as well.

Question: In the second innings of the first Test, Jaiswal sledged Starc saying that the ball was coming slow, after which there was a lot of discussion about Jaiswal’s confidence. How do you see this thing? Do you think there has been a change in his game and mindset?

Singh: If you see, a player who can dominate so much in IPL, then it first means that he has skill and confidence and only the latest Indian team can go to Australia and trouble the Australian bowlers. This is today’s India. There used to be a time when India used to go to Australia and the Australian media used to put a mental pressure on us so that the players come under a little pressure, but now since IPL has come, all the world class bowlers come to India, due to which our batters also get a good idea about who bowls what, that is why if you look at all the players of today, they are very fair and Yashasvi has been scoring runs everywhere. His confidence is very high and I think the way he showed intent is a good thing, but I will say again that your process is very important, saying something to someone is a matter of a time? frame but after that you have to perform.

Question: There is a lot of talk about Prithvi Shaw these days. The young player who was once called the next Sachin was not picked by any team in Team India or even in IPL. He remained unsold in the auction. Where did this young player go wrong?

Singh: Prithvi Shaw was and is a very highly talented player. He is my first player who played in the Under 19 World Cup. He came to me in 2015 and was with me till the World Cup. I worked a lot on his gam?e, on his mental state and I was very excited when he played in the Under 19 World Cup, but to be honest, I have not seen him after 2017 to see how he looks physically and when I see his picture, I am very surprised.

Today, I see his fitness, his body language, and I feel very sad that this player was given the tag of Next Sachin. As a coach, I am disappointed because he is not at the level he deserved. S??omething must have gone wrong and I still hope that he works ha?rd and brings himself back to his game in the future. I think he can still come back but for this, he needs discipline, focus and to revive himself again.

Here’s the full interview:

Also READ: An Exclusive Interview with sports anchor Ridhima Pathak: Career shift, sports broadcasting journey??, favourite memories

For latest cricket news & updates, visit betvisa68.com.

In a captivating interview with Cricket Times, South African broadcaster Lesego Pooe shared her journey from a childhood filled with cricket alongside her family to becoming a prominent figure in sports broadcasting. Lesego, who hosts Lions Cricket TV on SuperSport, not only brings passion to her commentary but also plays a significant role in advocating for women’s cricket. Her story is one of inspiration, driven by early influences from her father and brothers, who were avid cricket watchers.

Lesego’s narrative underscores the transformative power of mentorship and representation in sports media. Her journey began with a spark of interest at the tender age of seven, watching cricket with her family, which evolved into a professional passion after being inspired by Kass Naidoo, the first female cricket commentator in South Africa. This encounter not only motivated her to enter the broadcasting field but also taught her the importance of representation and recognition, especially for women in sports. Her dedication to her craft, coupled with strategic use of social media, has seen her rise from a YouTube content creator to a recognized voice in cricket broadcasting, particularly in advocating for and celebrating the growth of women’s cricket.

Here are some highlights from the interview:

Q: How did winning the ‘Women in social media�?award impact your career?

Lesego: Yeah, I won woman in social media and it was so great for me to walk away with that award because when you look at my journey the reason where I am today is because of the power of social media. I decided that I’m going to use this platform and this tool to get myself to where I want to be meaning having big broadcasters be able to see me and give me an opportunity in the broadcasting space because at the end of the day you know TV is where it’s happening right and so I remember I started my YouTube channel back in 2018 I was covering a T20 competition in South Africa and I used to do match summaries on my YouTube channel.

I specifically focused on cricket alone because I knew that I wanted to be in the cricket industry and be a cricket broadcaster and presenter and so for me to walk away with the social media award for G sports for 2021, it kind of felt like a full circle moment because that’s where I started that’s where my journey with cricket started and for me to walk away with that award it kind of validated the work that I was doing and that I was good at what I do and I was seen by the right people in this industry and so that kind of pushed me to be able to be seen by the relevant people right because even after that time I got to work for fair break I got to work for Super Sport now I’m a contracted broadcaster for Super Sport it’s been two to three years now and so that award really reminded me that my work is recognized and I’m heading in the right direction.

Q: How has South Africa’s women’s cricket scene evolved over the years?

Lesego: Women’s cricket has grown in Leaps and Bounds and I started around the time when women’s games were starting to be broadcasted a whole lot more and that speaks on the fact that there is an appetite for women’s cricket it has grown and it continues to grow and it’s good for superport to be that main broadcast that have broadcast right and they could showcase the games in in South Africa and so there’s definitely an appetite for women’s cricket and especially looking at the fact that the Proteas women’s team made it to the finals when the Women’s T20 World Cup was here in South Africa and there was an appetite for that and you could see that the stadiums were filled to capacity in Newlands and I was fortunate to be there and I remember thinking about a time when there would only be 10 to 20 to 40 spectators at a stadium but from me being able to see when there was around a time when there was no spectators to seeing a Newlands packed stadium for a woman’s game was beautiful to witness.

And like I said there definitely is an appetite and women’s game continues to grow and I love what Cricket South Africa has done they have given the women’s players the same match fees as the men yeah so they’re all on the same level what they’ve done is that they’ve also professionalized domestic Cricket for the women in this country and they’ve made it professional and it’s good and we know in the next coming years there’s going to be an SA20 Women’s League and that is so exciting there’s a buzz around women’s cricket and now there’s the Test cricket that’s happening between South Africa and England and the last Test match that took place was back in 2002 and you know we’re living in exciting times for women’s cricket and for me the reason why I advocate for women’s cricket was because I’m a woman I played the game and I understand what goes into just being a woman playing the game and that we’re skilled we’re talented and we deserve the sponsors we deserve to be professional we deserve the same amount of money that the men are getting we deserve it all and like I said living in exciting times for women’s cricket.

Also READ: An Exclusive Interview with New Zealand star Xara Jetly: Netball to Cricket, Dream wickets and favouri?te IPL team

Q: Could you walk us through your preparation process before going live?

Lesego: Preparation is so key that’s the number one fact okay it’s so important. So for example now I’ll be covering the South Africa versus England series I’m covering the T20s and so for me this is how preparation works I’m at my desk actually I’ve got a whole lot of notes right so what I usually do is go through I start off with so for example England I have to look at the games that they they’ve been playing what series have they participated in look at their World Cup the recent T20 World Cup campaign how it unfolded for them look at the standout performances look at what went wrong and be able to see this season how their campaign has been throughout this entire season and then be able to read.

I also read articles that have been written around England and even just the press releases heading into to this series against South Africa. What are they looking forward to what are they looking to improve and work on what statement would they like to make in the series against South Africa they also played Test cricket and so this is a great preparation for them to go into the Ashes against Australia and so you look at that there is such a beautiful story that you can get out of research and portray that story in your live games so from England look at South Africa’s performances their players that have gone to the WBBL how are their performances are. Are they going into the series against England with form or without form and that’s what you look at and so it’s the preparation, read a lot of articles. If there certain a players that you’re not familiar with look study the players read some articles on that player do the research and find yourself in a position where you feel like you’ve covered all your bases because that helps with the nerves you go into it knowing that you’ve covered all you needed to cover and you’re ready to rock and roll so that’s just an overview of how I go into my preparations.

Q: If you could host a global sports event, which would you choose?

Lesego: I’m looking forward to working at an ICC event that’s number one. I want to start off by being a digital Insider. I don’t know if you’ve seen that role at the ICC just work up start with the digital Insider I’ve got a state plan. I really love to get to a point where I work as a digital Insider and then progress into being one of the hosts for the any women’s ICC event and definitely want to work for a woman’s event but definitely India I’d love to find myself back in India I did tour with the Proteas woman back in 2019 I was a media manager just for a month and I was able to go to India.

I went to Vadodara, I went to Surat and I was able to just immers myself in the Indian culture and their food and India has always been a great country to go to and so I want to be able to find myself just covering the women’s league that side and so would be so great for me to be part of something so big because India whether it’s for men or for the women’s game Indians are really passionate about cricket and so I definitely would love to be part of that but I mean it’s endless The Hundreds the WBBL there’s so many T20 leagues that are happening for the women and whether I get one or two leagues that’s more than enough and hopefully it’s in the next coming years SA20 will be happening for the woman and I’d love to be part of that team as well so the world is my oyster.

Q: Which current players in modern cricket excite you the most?

Lesego: Laura Wolvaardt, let me tell you something she is a monster she trains she takes her cricket serious she takes her captaincy serious and we remember when she started off Laura was always dubbed to be someone who is the next best cricketer female cricketer right and but her game has always been she’s always been good in the 50 over format but there was a moment where she changed her game because she understood that T20 is where it’s happening and she started working on her game and now you would never say that Laura was more of the longer format person because now her T20 game exceptional. Her performances constant performances she’s always racking in the runs she’s always been the player that sets the tone for any game that South Africa plays she’s consistent she’s reliable and she’s exception. I mean her cover drives everybody speaks about Laura’s cover drives and she’s still young it’s hard to believe that she is still young and she’s got many years in this industry and so she is set to be one of the greatest female cricketers the world has ever seen and that’s a player that I’m excited about that’s a player that I will continue to be excited about.

Watch the full interview:

Also READ: An Exclusive In??terview with USA rising star Anika Kolan: Role models, U19 leadership, all-time favourite cricketers

This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.

For latest cricket news & updates, visit betvisa68.com.

Satyam Dixit, a promising cricketer from Kanpur, has carved a niche for himself in the competitive world of cricket, not just as a player but also as a close friend of Kuldeep Yadav, the renowned Indian spinner. Both athletes were trained under the same coach, Kapil Pandey, and have shared countless memo??ries on the cricket field while playing domestic grade cricket together. Their journey reflects a deep camaraderie and mutual respect, with Kuldeep achieving international fame by donning the Indian jersey, while Satyam remains steadfast in pursuing his own cricketing dreams.

As Satyam prepares to take a significant step in his career by joining the California Golden Eagles for the USPL, he embodies the spirit of perseverance and dedication that defines aspiring athletes. His experiences alongside Kuldeep offer unique insights into the challenges and triumphs faced by cricketers in their pursuit of excellence. In this interview, we delve into Satyam’s journey, his friendship with Kuldeep, and his aspirations as he embarks on this exciting new chapter in his cricketing career.

Here are some highlights from the interview:

Q. How did your cricketing journey started growing up with Kuldeep Yadav in Kanpur?

Satyam: So, my journey began with my father who also was a cricketer who shared dressing room with the likes of some legendary names like Shashikant Khandekar, Sunil Chaturvedi and Vipin Vats. We are three brothers Satyam, Shivam, and Sundaram and all play cricket, in 2004 my journey to take up cricket as a professional sport started and one big reason is a scene of the Indian triumph in Lord’s where Sourav Ganguly waved off his Indian jersey after winning the match. At?? that point of time I was in Jammu and after my father retired, we came to Kanpur and the first thin??g we did was I joined an academy, soon after two-months Kuldeep too joined too. Joining the academy, I got an idea to pursue cricket.

Initially Kuldeep wanted to be a fast bowler, he really loved bowling fast but our coach was really aware of all the players, so he convinced Kuldeep to be a chinaman instead of bowling medium pace. We both played together in all our grade and domestic crick??et and that’s it he went on to wear Indian jersey.

Also READ: An Exclusive ??Interview with Malaysian star Virandee??p Singh: From school cricket to international stardom, admiration for Virat Kohli and favourite IPL team

Q. How do you describe your current form and approach in cricket?

Satyam: Well cricket is so??mething that doesn’t go out of a player’s system, and when I talk about me, nothing’s much different here too, I have a job but after my work hour my most time goes practising on the ground, I even have installed a net practise set up on my house’s terrace. And if we talk about my form, I feel I am kind of okay with my form and want to improve it by practising continuously so that I can perform in USPL this year.

Q. When and how your and Kuldeep Yadav’s friendship began?

Satyam: Kuldeep and I became friends really early in our childhood, we both played a tournament where you would be surprised that wasn’t under 16, under 14 but under 5 feet, so this was a tournament organised by Kanpur Cricket Association where every player was under the height of 5 feet, and we being 12 to 13-year-old kids?? were able to play the tournament advantageous of our small height and less age. This was a tournament where we played for the first time and won it, where we both played well and contributed too for the win, this marked the beginn??ing of our friendship where we became close friends.

Q. How challenging is it for UP players to adapt to fast paced cricket?

Satyam: Cricket has certainly changed when it comes to gameplay, and there was a time when leaving a good bowl was appreciated but nowadays, you can’t afford to play like that anymore. If we look at the players who are playing for India in T20Is and those who play in ODIs the playing intent of both the teams is quite different, you would see more dynamic shots in T20s as the team crafted for different formats by BCCI is quite intelligently crafted. Therefore, now eve?ry player can choose and pick their own format and adapt to the new norms of cricket ac?cordingly.

Q. How tough is the journey to become a professional cricketer in India?

Satyam: World’s most populous country where every other kid dreams of being a professional cricketer in India, amid this glitz and glamour everybody wants to be there as a cricketer,
one thing that also attracts everyone is the financial security that it gives and al?so if parents and coaches think that their kid is good in cricket, they indeed give a push for it. But all in fairness is great until you perform and perform consistently, because there are many players to replace you or sometimes, they are better than you. So, the journey is quite tough in India to pursue cricket as a profession but it gradually b??ecomes tougher if you don’t keep yourself uptight. I would also urge if someone young is aspiring to be a cricketer please go ahead but firstly sit and have a discussion with your coach about your potential and your gameplay.

Here’s the video:

Also READ: Exclusive:? Who should captain India after Harmanpreet Kaur? Former India chief s?elector Hemlata Kala shares her candid views on women’s cricket

For latest cricket news & updates, visit betvisa68.com.

Virandeep Singh, a name synonymous with Malaysian cricket, has carved a niche for himself as a talented all-rounder and a key figure in his nation’s cricketing landscape. As the first Malaysian to score a T20I century, Virandeep has consistently showcased his skills on the international stage. In our exclusive interview with, he shared insights into his cricketing journey, his inspirations, memorable moments, an?d future aspirations, providing a glimpse into the mindset of a rising cricketing star.

From following in his brother’s footsteps during school cricket to representing Malaysia at the senior level, Virandeep’s journey is nothing short of inspiring. His passion for the game and commitment to continuous improvement is evident in every anecdote and experience he shares. Let’s dive into the candid conversation with the young cricketer, who is determined to make his mark on the global stage.

Here are some highlights from the interview:

Q: Share your cricketing journey with us. How did it all begin?

Virandeep: I think just like many others out there I think started at the school level. I had the opportunity to pick a spot in school and it was actually my brother I followed him. He played cricket for school so there’s a two years gap between me and my brother and yeah so when he joined school at the age of seven I was five at that time and we had to pick a spot in school so my parents were like okay why don’t we pick cricket and from then on actually before I even joined school I was already joining his training sessions and stuff that’s how it all began for me and yeah after that slowly moved on to play Club level at the age of 10. I started playing for the RSC at the age of 10 that’s when I actually played like proper hard ball cricket and stuff and then from then on played for the state got the opportunity to play for under 16 Malaysia and from then on under 19 and then the senior level as well so yeah it’s been great I would say a lot of experience to gain from and a lot to learn from throughout the journey as well but yeah it’s just started I’m still very young so it’s a long way to go.

Q: Tell us about you role models and how have they influenced your game?

Virandeep: I’ve always had different role models for different reasons I would say like if I break it down into like today cricket is such a fast-moving game and there’s a lot of power hitting and stuff involved so when it comes to power hitting and stuff I love watching Tim David. I think I’ve played against him quite a bit I mean a few matches when he was playing for Singapore so Malaysia and Singapore we always play a lot against each other so yeah see someone that I’ve really looked up to and I feel like I want to of course I wouldn’t say I want a bat like him but you know the impact that he can create on the game I really appreciate that and I love watching that I want to learn as much as I can from him and I think he’s got very good power hitting techniques as well so for now I would say Tim David is one of the role models that I have.

Of course when it comes to fitness and stuff then Virat Kohli is someone who is really up there and I mean of course a lot of people mention his name but yeah I think there just a lot to learn from him as well you know his attitude and his approach to the game as well he’s really aggressive he’s really is willing to do anything for his team, to win the game and stuff so yeah those are some of the things that I look and pick and try to emulate and stuff because I wouldn’t really give you one name because that’s how I look at things whenever I watch cricket and stuff. I always want to pick up things from each and every one and that’s where you learn I guess so yeah; I would say for now those two and if you ask me the same question maybe in in in the next year or in the coming six months that may change as well so for now those are the two place that I’m looking

I’ve played some under 19 cricket like the Asia cup under 19 and stuff. One was held in Malaysia and then we played the emerging cup as well so I played against the under 19 guys I think and Shubman Gill and all these guys but we’ve not played against Virat Kohli.

Also READ:?? An Exclusive Interview with New Zealand star Xara Jetly: Netball to Cricket, Drea?m wickets and favourite IPL team

Q: How did it feel to be the first Malaysian to score a T20I century?

Virandeep: I think playing T20 cricket is something that I love. We are not a Test nation, we don’t have red ball cricket in the country I mean of course I have played some red ball cricket back then and I think after that we realized that there’s no point really for us to play red ball cricket and that’s why we started playing more white ball stuff and I think with the T20I international status coming in for all the countries, I think that opened the doors for everyone if you ask me because I think T20 cricket you spend three hours you know on the field and you go home you play 50 over cricket you play eight hours and it’s a very long game right so I would consider ourselves as semi pro I wouldn’t say we are professional cricketers.

I would say we are semi-professional cricketers so playing T20 cricket is something that we all enjoy doing and stuff and sixes and fours and wickets that’s something that we all enjoy so yeah the T20 International. I was I was opening at that time but now of course I’m betting at 3 four and stuff but I was opening batter back then and it was yeah very clear roles given to me by my coach and stuff and just for me to go and express myself and hit as many boundaries as you can and I guess it was my day.

Q: Your brother Pawandeep is also a cricketer. Do you guys exchange tips on and off the field?

Virandeep: I think one good thing about us is that I’m a batter and he’s a bowler so it really helps us because we can actually share in terms of I wouldn’t really say in terms of techniques and stuff we don’t really speak much about techniques but it’s all about like reading the batter’s mind like he comes and says that okay what do you think I should do when he’s bowling and stuff what do you think with the field set should I put this field or should I put that field and stuff or what do you think he’s going to try to do now is he going to try to attack or do you think they’re going to play a few hours out and maybe and then they’re going to take charge and what is the batter strength and or he’s maybe he’s holding the bat this way so what do you think we should be doing and stuff so yeah all those small things where that’s the best one I will understand and I can share that with him and of course when he bows as well with the new ball so then I also ask him some questions and stuff on what he’s trying to do and stuff so it’s basically more about the thinking part like trying to be one step ahead of the batter or being one step ahead of the bowler so yeah that really helps.

Just say after we have played a game and stuff we come back and then we have like we just analyze maybe on the way back when you’re driving back from the grounds and stuff we just analyzing okay what you think we could have done better and you know today I couldn’t really do something or today was a good day for me and stuff so yeah it’s always nice to have someone that you can discuss cricket with and I love talking about the game. I’m a huge fan of sharing and talking and trying to learn as much as I can and stuff so yeah it’s nice to have him around and just speak about cricket it really makes a difference.

Q: Most memorable moment of your career so far?

Virandeep: If there’s one Innings that comes to my mind is when I made a fifty against India under 19. I was playing against India 19 and I made a 50 against them and at that time I was yeah I was 18. I was playing my last under 19 tournament that’s when I made my 50 against India. I think that was special to me. Just to share with you in my life I I’ve always believe that I’ve had this I play okay for example this small incident that has happened that really helped me change my mindset so for example before that maybe my confidence level was low or maybe I didn’t really have a clue of how good. So whenever I played this one small Innings I think this has helped me become a better player after that so the way I played against India but whatever that I made 50 or whatever it’s not about the run that I was moving on to senior cricket and that’s when I realized that okay I can actually play. I belong at I feel like I can you know do my best I can play anybody so. if I can play that’s how I used to think right because when you’re young and you’re thinking oh I can play India of course you play the name and now you understand that it’s all about playing the ball.

The second that comes to my mind is the Innings against Bangladesh. We lost the game sadly and stuff but that’s something that honestly I don’t really like talking about that because of the way we lost that and stuff but yeah that’s another Innings that made me believe or actually I would say made the team belief not it’s not only about me it’s also about the team because it helped us believe okay yes we can compete you know we can compete against the best and stuff so I feel like yeah those small moments that that happen and stuff and that really helps us all grew as cricketers.

Q: Do you have any plans to play in the IPL?

Virandeep: That’s a dream for every player out there I would say if you ask any cricketer who is playing for their country of course they would want to play in the IPL one day and that’s like the ultimate goal but of course I do understand I’m not living in a in a Dreamland and stuff I understand what the challenges are and how we can actually move up and one day play in the IPL and stuff but I think that I’ve got that goal but I feel that I need to achieve those smaller stuff first for me to before I can actually think of there’s no harm thinking is free dreaming doing that but of course I want make sure that I’m doing the right things at this level first. No issues with not being where I want to be yet I think that’s absolutely fine and I’m just enjoying every day as it comes and I’m just making sure that I’m doing the right things.

Watch the full interview:

Also READ: An Exclusive Interview with sports anchor Ridhima P?athak: Career shift, sports broadcasting journey, favourite me?mories

For latest cricket news & updates, visit betvisa68.com.

India’s performance in the 2024 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in the UAE was deeply disappointing, with Harmanpreet Kaur’s team exiting in the first round. To discuss the team’s shortcomings and the future of Indian women’s cricket, we spoke exclusively with Hemlata Kala, a prominent name in the sport. With a career spanning seven Test matches, 78 ODIs, and one T20I, she also served as the Chief Selector for the Indian women’s cricket team from 2016 to 2020.

In this candid conversation, Hemlata shed light on where the team faltered, her tenure as Chief Selector, and who could potentially take over the captaincy after Harmanpreet Kaur.

On Test Cricket and Personal Career Highlights

Q: You played seven Tests ??with an impressive average of 50. Did you particularly enjoy Test cricket?

Hemlata: I enjoyed all formats equally, but I believ?e if T20 cricket existed back then, I might have been one of the best players and the most expensive pick in the WPL. My style of play suited the fast-paced format. In Tests, I got more opportunities to bat as the format allows for longer stays at the crease. For instance, I scored crucial centuries in tight matches against New Zealand and England??, even batting alongside tail-enders like Jhulan Goswami, whose patience helped me immensely.

On Playing With Legends

Q: You’ve played alongside legends like Mithali Raj, Jhulan Goswami and Neetu David. How was your experience?

Hemlata: It was amazing. I shared the field with Mithali, Jhulan and David in various teams, including Railways and Air India. Their dedication was unparalleled. Even after retirement, Neetu David’s bowling accuracy remains impeccable. Playing with such committed players was a privilege.

Also READ: An Exclusive Interview with star India player Punam Raut – Role models, cricketing journey, favourite memories, Women’s ODI World Cup 2017 setback

On the 2017 World Cup journey

Q: The Indian team reached the final of the 2017 World Cup, what were the positives for you as a Chief Sel??ector?

Hemlata: When I became Chief Selector in 2016, the team was ranked eighth. With inputs from Mithali, coach Atul Bedade and others, we built a stronger unit. A key decision was backing Smriti Mandhana during her ligament injury, as we believed in her potential. She recovered in time and helped us defeat England in the tou??rnament opener. Though we fell short in the final, the journey showed our capability to compete at the highest level.

On India’s Current Challenges

Q: What do you think?? went? wrong for Team India in the recent World Cup?

Hemlata: The primary issue is the lower-order batting. Since 2017, we’ve struggled to find consistent performances from our tail-enders. Players like Smriti and Harmanpreet can’t perform every day. When the top order fails, the lower order needs to step up, which hasn’t been happening. This balance is crucial for winning high-pressure games.

Leadership Beyond Harmanpreet Kaur

Q: There we?re rumours about Harmanpreet potentially stepping down as captain. Who? do you see as her successor?

Hemlata: If Harmanpreet steps down, the natural choice is Smriti Mandhana, as she is the current vice-captain. However, leadership decisions rest with the BCCI and the se??lection committee.

Q: What about Jemimah Rodrigues as a captaincy candidate???

Hemlata: Jemimah is an exceptional player and a great team motivator. Her energy on the field, even when not scoring runs, adds immense value. She is a future asset to Indian cricket, though I can’t say if she should be captain. Her focus should be on consistent performance.

On the Growth of Women’s Cricket

Q: What are your thoughts on the WPL and ??other initiatives by ??the BCCI?

Hemlata: Jay Shah has done incredible work for women’s cricket. The WPL has provided a platform for players to showcase their talent alongside international stars. With more tournaments like the Challenger Trophy and 3-day cricket, the sport is progressing rapidly. I am confident we will win an ICC trophy soon.

Here’s the full interview:

Also READ: Exclusive Interview – Preeti Dimri discusses India’s T20 World Cup exit, her cricketing journey and the evolution of women’s cricket

This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.

For latest cricket news & updates, visit betvisa68.com.

Ridhima Pathak stands as a beacon of inspiration in the realm of sports broadcasting, embodying the perfect blend of passion, intellect, and charisma. With her roots firmly planted in engineering, she has carved a?? remarkable niche for herself in a field that often feels worlds apart from her academic beginnings. Graduating with a degree in Instrumentation and Control Engineering from the prestigious MKSSS Cummins College of Engineering for Women, Ridhima initially embarked on a conventional corporate journey. Her role as a marketing analyst at American corporation showcased her analytical prowess and strategic thinking, yet her heart yearned for the vibrant world of sports.

Driven by an insatiable passion for athletics and an innat??e talent for storytelling, Ridhima took a bold leap of faith into the dynamic universe of sports journalism. Over the past decade, she has emerged as a prominent sports presenter, captivating audiences with her eloquence and infectious enthusiasm. Whether she is anchoring live from the electrifying atmosphere of the Women’s Premier League or providing insightful commentary during international cricket tournaments, Ridhima’s presence is nothing short of magnetic. Her ability to connect with viewers transcends mere reporting; she brings to life the emotions, triumphs, and challenges that define the sporting experience.

What ??sets Ridhima apart is not just her impressive credentials but also her unwavering commitment to empowering others. She recognizes that the world of sports media is rife with opportunities waiting to be explored. Through her work, she actively seeks to inspire young talents—especially women—encouraging them to pursue their passions fearlessly.

In addition to her broadcasting achievements, Ridhima is an advocate for inclusivity in sports. She believes that diverse voices enrich the narrativ??e of athletics and strives to create platforms where underrepresented s??tories can be told. Her dedication to fostering a more inclusive environment within sports media resonates deeply with audiences and aspiring journalists alike.

As we delve into this interview with Ridhima, we invite you to explore not only her professional journey but also her insights on the evolving landscape of sports journalism. Join us as we uncover t??he layers of this remarkable indivi?dual whose passion continues to inspire countless others to chase their dreams and redefine boundaries in the world of sports.

Here are some highlights from the interview:

Q. Could you share your journey of transitioning from engineering to sports anchoring? What drew you to the field of sports broadcasting?

Ridhima: Yeah, it is quite a transition, firstly I was in Marine engineering ??and since I didn’t want to pursue that, I took a?? drop that year to get into a stream of my choice. In college, I used to get various anchoring stints and gigs which I did, plus I also was quite curiously in liking of my voice too, as I loved recording my voice and listen to it, so that I could work on it. Sports when I talk, I really need to credit my mother for that as she is the one who is an avid follower of cricket.

Since Pune is not such a big city, the talent pool is quite familiar to each other and one gig led to another, and I remember I got a chance to anchor various cricket leagues in Pune where in one of them I met Ayaz Memon, he complimented me for my voice and told me to audition for Star Sports. I was preparing for my GMAT at that point but also working for an American corporation, and one fine day I took a step calculating that I could take a chance and go for the gigs, where I would get more time to prepare for GMAT. I texted the Star Sports talent hunt team and suddenly they called me for an audition in Mumbai the next day. So, I took an overnight cab and reached the place, where they asked me to participate in a week-long workshop and finalised me for the Hockey India league pre and post-show anchoring. And now here we are�?/p>

Also READ: An Exclusive Interview with star India player Punam Raut: Role models, cricketing journey, favourite memories, Women’s ODI World Cup 2017 setback

Q. How challenging is it for a sports presenter to remain unbiased and manage emotions while covering intense events?

Ridhima: You know my journey to love the sports has been interesting as I first fell in love with the team and then the sports or we could say with one particular player of the sport whom you prefer to follow and get to know the?? sports through him or her. So, when the person fails to perform you also shatter for a bit and since we all are humans it shows too for bit in front of the camera.

In 2019, I think I was in love with the team more than the sports, the time when India lost in the semi-final against New Zealand, I had tears in my eyes and I was standing beside the boundary line. All the broadcasters went in to prepare for the show but it took me more time to get prepared for the show. From thereafter, I feel when I to cover other sports I noticed that being in love with sports doesn’t mean you only need to enjoy the wins but also appreciate the losses too and appreciate the oppositions who played you well. And if you notice the veteran broadcasters who have been covering a particular sport, do love the game more than the team, of cour??se there is a soft corner but when you fall in love with the sport a mindset develops where you are much more in awe of the game and not just the team.

Q. Do sports anchors follow specific fitness routines to prepare for the demands of their job? If so, what does yours look like?

Ridhima: Work out! It’s a simple calculation that what you eat should be lesser than what you burn, whether you do it that day, week or even month, so that’s your easy cover on ?physical fitness. For me?ntal fitness you need to meditate as it really counts, have a proper 8 hours of sleep, I feel both mental and physical fitness are more of interrelated, I don’t work out to look sleek I work out to be sane and with my mental health. Therefore, it is in direct proportions.

Now when we talk about vocal fitness, I had an opportunity to work with Paul Crane and he used to finish a bottle of honey with lukewarm water while commentating the game, the reason behind it was to sooth his vocal? nerves. Many commentators just use lukewarm water, as due to long stints your voice gets worn out and then there are some people who are blessed with great vocals.

Q. What’s your take on India’s recent performance in the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024?

Ridhima: As an Indian cri??cket fan we must be disappointed and we are disappointed for sure, We could have lifted the trophy and we all had our hopes up for a better run but again when we say as a sports broadcaster and sports fan, I am more of a sports lover now so, need to just appreciate the opposition who played w??ell on the given day.

Q. Could you share some of your favourite memories or experiences from your time in broadcasting?

Ridhima: Some of the fondest memories that I’ve had of live broadcasting have been I think during, during the 2019 World Cup though it was not live, I was covering digital for ICC I had the opportunity to interviews Virat Kohli, then captain so it was really a very special interview that I took. After that I took Nasir Hussain’s interview.

I recently hosted Paris Olympics athletes and I think that has to be the most enduring memory I’ve had in my sports career so far, as I got to know many of them, shared a decent camaraderie over time and also very keenly observed their mindset representing at such a big event. So, I think some of the fondest memories that comes through the Paris Olympics.

Here’s the full interview:

Also READ: Exclusive Interview: Preeti Dimri discusses India’s T20 World Cup exit, her cricketing journey and the evolution of women’s cricket

For latest cricket news & updates, visit betvisa68.com.

India’s performance in the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 was disappointing, with Harmanpreet Kaur’s team failing to advance past the group stage. Former left-arm spinner Preeti Dimri, known for her impact in domestic and international cricket, shared her candid thoughts on the team’s performance, her career, and women’s cricket in an exclusive interview with Cricket Times.

Q: When did you start playing cricket?

Preeti: I was fo??ur years old when my mom decided one of h??er daughters should be an athlete. She encouraged us all to try sports like running and football, but opportunities for girls were limited back then. Since I was the youngest, she thought cricket might be a good fit and enrolled me at the Eklavya Sports Academy in Agra.

Q: How did you get selected for the Indian women’s cricket team?

Preeti: The senior team was headed to Belgaum, and one of their bowlers fell ill. Women’s cricket wasn’t part of the BCCI back then, and the Women’s Cricket Association used to handle the selections. Hemlata Kala recommended me to the selectors, even though I was just 12. I went for trials, and after bowling to a few batters, the selectors were convinced of my strength. That’s where my journey began.

Q: In your debut Test against England in 2006, you took five wickets. How was that moment for you?

Preeti: It was a proud moment. I was thrilled, but my mother was even happier since watching me play was her dream. After taking five wickets, I called her, and she told me she had already heard the news. That mat?ch was ?significant for me and validated the selectors�?confidence in their choices.

Also READ: An Exclusive Interview with star India player Punam Raut – Role models, cricketing journey, favourite memories, Women’s ODI World Cup 2017 setback

Q: You’ve played extensively under Mithali Raj’s captaincy. What kind of captain was she?

Preeti: Mithali was not only a great player but also an outstanding captain. A captain’s role is not just to perform but to lead, support the team and bring out the best in everyone. She excelled in these areas, and I learned a lot from her during our 18 years playing together for India and Indian Railways.

Q: How do you view BCCI’s recent decision for equal match fees for men and women?

Preeti: It’s a fantastic step, especially for the newer players. When I played, we didn’t have match fees or the facilities that are available today. Seeing this progress is very heartening.

Q: India didn’t reach the T20 World Cup semifinals this year. What went wrong?

Preeti: Fitness and strength were significant issues. The international players? had superior fi?tness levels, which showed in areas like running, batting, bowling, and fielding. We need to focus on improving fitness across all departments.

Q: Do you think it’s time for Smriti Mandhana to be appointed as India captain?

Preeti: I believe the decision should rest with the selectors. A captain’s job is to unite the team and bring out the best in players. If everyone fulfills their role well, we’ll see positive results. Leadership change may not be necessary, but whoever has shown consistent performance could be considered.

Here’s the full video:

Also READ: An Exclusive Interview with New Zealand star Xara Jetly – Netball to Cricket, Dream wickets and favourite IPL team

This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.

For latest cricket news & updates, visit betvisa68.com.