In one of the recent developments announced by the DDCA, the U19 team for Delhi is out and the best part for Venkateshwar Cricket Academy in Delhi is that three of their academy players have made it to the Delhi’s U19 Team who will now play in the U19 Vinoo Mankad Trophy for the upcoming season.
Venkateshwar Cricket Academy has been around in Delhi since many years and it has made a name for its quality coaching. The Academy which is run by Head Coach Devdutt is the director of two popular cricket academies in Delhi namely Harbeer Cricket Academy and Venkateshwar Cricket Academy. A lot of International players come and practice at these academies and even share their experiences with the students.
Venkateshwar Cricket Academy also has their academy registered with Delhi District Cricket Association and it boasts of all the modern facilities. Head Coach Devdutt has worked with many professional cricketers who are today playing First Class and International Level Cricket. The academy is also known to host age group tournaments in Delhi which results in players getting opportunities to prove their mettle. Head Coach Devdutt who is also the Coach of India’s Deaf Team has trained players like Mayank Dagar (India U19 &IPL) & a host of other professional cricketers. Seems like, the years of hard work by the coaches and academy is paying off as so many of the academy students are now playing at higher levels.
Speaking with Cricketgraph, Coach Devdutt shared “At the end of the day, this is what you want, that your boys play and represent their state. It’s a collective hardwork of theirs as well as our and we can see the results now. We will continue to work hard and our coaching standards will only improve and progress in the times to come as we have a quality coaching benchmark to maintain in Delhi”
Here’s wishing Venkateshwar Cricket Academy and Head Coach Devdutt all the luck for their future endeavors.
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Kolkata like Mumbai and Delhi is known for its competitive levels of cricket. Over the years, Kolkata has produced some great domestic and international cricketers and the reason behind that coveted success has been the cricketing atmosphere. When we talk about cricket atmosphere, we mean the academies, the coaches, the facilities for players and one such academy which seems to tick all the marks is Kolkata Green Grass Cricket Academy in Kolkata, West Bengal.
Kolkata Green Grass Center has 3 branches in Kolkata namely the Ruby branch, Kalikapur branch and Dehala Branch. Kolkata Green Grass Cricket Center is one of the best cricket academies in Kolkata and boasts of all the facilities required for quality coaching. The academy is run by their Head Coach Suprotip Chatterjee who is also the founder of the academy. Suprotip has a coaching experience of close to 2 decades while he is himself a former first class cricketer. Head Coach Suprotip is BCCI level Certified Coach and he is qualified to apply for Level B Certification which very few coaches have achieved in West Bengal region. Apart from Suprotip, the academy has 8-10 qualified cricket coaches to ensure best practice sessions for students. The academy also has astro turf and practice wickets while it also provides personal coaching, corporate cricket coaching and team coaching. Each branch of Kolkata Green Grass Cricket Center has 3 nets while it is open for both boys and girls from 3 to 19 years of age. The academy also has a special women’s coach to train the young girls and the Coach is level O Certified. The Women’s Coach of their academy is also a state level player who has played for Bengal.
When we asked on what kind of players practice at their academy, Head Coach Suprotip shared “We don’t believe in taking names of our players. A lot of players from Kolkata Green Grass Center are playing state and district level cricket but I believe instead of coaches taking their name, it should be other way round. We believe that our students i.e our player will take the name of the coaches and their academies and that’s how it should work. We always aim to provide the best coaching facilities to our players and I wish to impart my experience and wisdom to our students alongwith our qualified coaching team”
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Kolkata is famous for many things and one of the things which makes Kolkata famous is also its die heard cricket loving fans. Well, how can we forget Sourav Ganguly –The prince of Kolkata also scripted his journey from this place only. To ensure a good cricketing atmosphere, there needs to be good cricket infrastructure and good cricketing infrastructure is defined by the quality of coaches and academies prevalent in the city. One such academy which is striving hard on providing good coaching is Akbar Cricket Academy in Kolkata.
Founded in 2012, Akbar Cricket Academy has close to 150 students and it’s exactly situated at Subhas Sarobar Park at Beleghatta, Kolkata. The academy comprises of all the modern facilities required for quality coaching of its students. Akbar Cricket Academy in Kolkata is open for both boys and girls with an age group between 5 to 25 years. The academy boast of 5 qualified coaches under the leadership of their Head Coach Mohammad Akbar.
Head Coach Mohammad Akbar has close to 15 years of coaching experience and he is BCCI Level ‘A’ and CAB Level ‘O’ Certified Cricket Coach. Before he forayed into coaching, Mohammad Akbar was himself a professional cricketer with more than 2 decades of playing experience at Top Division. The academy boasts of 4 nets comprising of astro turf, cement wicket, match wicket while the academy also provides ball and water facilities for its students. Yes, the students have to bring their own kit bag. Over the years many players have progressed from this academy and one of their students Aman Prasad has also played state level for Bengal U19 team.
Speaking with Cricketgraph, the Head Coach Mohammad Akbar shared “I have played professional cricket for 2 decades, I have been coaching since last 12-15 years and we aim to pass our experience to our young students. All our coaches are qualified and one of our coaches is also BCCI certified, I am myself BCCI level A and CAB Level O Certified coach and we ensure the best coaching standards at Akbar Cricket Academy in Kolkata”
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Ahmedabad is of the most upcoming cities of India and the cricketing as well as the overall sporting infrastructure in Ahmedabad is equally progressing every year. One such cricket academy which is contributing in improving the cricket infrastructure of Ahmedabad is MPower Cricket Academy in Ahmedabad.
Located at Navrangpura, Sardar Patel Stadium, Mpower Academy is led by the founder Sumer Singh who is also the Head Coach of M Power Academy. The academy boasts of a qualified coaching team right from the likes of Mr. Rakesh Yadav (Asst.Coach), Ms Sonal Shah (Sports Nutritionist), Haresh Ghogari (Asst.Coach), Dr. Hiren Patel (Physiotherapist) & Mr. Shah Rukh Khan (Fitness Trainer).
The academy boasts of all the modern facilities required for students to ensure quality cricket coaching. The academy also invites guest lectures from current and past cricketers to inculcate the right cricketing wisdom amongst the young lot of cricketers. Apart from that, MPower Cricket Academy aims to ensure an all-round development of a player which involves every aspects right from Civic Education, Nutrition, Diet & Fitness, Strength and game technique. Over the years many players from the academy have gone on to play higher levels of cricket at District and State Level.
Mpower Cricket Academy in Ahmedabad was founded in July 2010 under Coach Sumer Singh who has close to 3 decades of experience in the field of cricket. Coach Sumer Singh is an ECB & ICC Level 3 Certified Cricket Coach. Sumer Singh has also completed level-‘O’ cricket-coaching course organized by CBCA (Central Board of Cricket Ahmedabad) under the guidelines of NCA (National Cricket Academy) a subsidiary of BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India).Coach Sumer has also been a professional cricketer himself with close to 2 decades of playing experience. As a professional cricketer, Sumer Singh has played in Birmingham Premier Division. Sumer has also played Premier Division Cricket in Ahmedabad between 1987 to 1991 while he has also played Nationals (SGFI) at U17 & U19 level representing Kendriya Vidyalaya School.
Brief Experience of Sumer Singh as Coach & Cricketer:
- Has Played in Birmingham Premier Division.
- Has played for 1st, 2nd & 3rd year for St. Xavier’s College, Ahmedabad.
- Has played Premier Division in Ahmedabad in the year 1987/88/89/90/91.
- Has also conducted various one to one coaching seasons for various age groups in U.K.
- Has played for Kendriya Vidyalaya at National Level (Under – 17 and Under – 19) Under the banner of SGFI ( School Games Federation of India).
- Played MIDWEEK for Bharat Sports Cricket Club at Coventry (Warwickshire – U.K.) in season 2008 and also coached the various age groups along with the Senior Team.
- Has played as a Paid Professional for Lohana Cricket Club, London in Middlesex Division-I, in year 1987/1988/1989 (With a contract for Coaching Cricket to various age groups).
- Has played as a Paid Professional for Stanmore Cricket Club, London in Middlesex A division (Minor Country) in year 1990/1991 (With a contract of coaching colts in various age groups).
- Has also conducted coaching assignments for various age groups (Boys/Girls) as well as the Senior Teams of Lohana / Millhill Cricket Club at London- Middlesex for years 2004/2005/2006/2008.
- Has played for West Indian Wanderers Cricket Club – Coventry Warwickshire (U.K.) in the year 2005/06/07/08 with Heading All Coaching sections of various age groups in boys and girls. Also coached the 1st Team and the 2nd Team (Seniors ) at the Club and coached the Senior Women’s Team as well.
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This year, we haven’t seen too many matches courtesy the Covid Lockdown, however, out of the few matches that were being played this year, there were some really impactful performances which grabbed everyone’s attention.
One such knock which brought a player to limelight was in RCA Summer Cup’21 where in Shrut Kalawadiya created a record of sorts to score one of the fastest triple hundreds in Gujarat. UCA Cricket Academy opting to bat first at Royal Cricket Ground, Gatrad posted a massive total on board scoring 498/9 in 50 overs. Even though, the team was struggling at one point with 3wkts down for 30 runs, it was Shrut coming at no.5 and changing the course of the game. Arriving at the crease in the 5th over itself, Shrut batted till the very end slaughtering the bowlers in every corner of the ground to score a gigantic triple hundred. Shrut scored 308* off mere 156 balls which had 35 fours and 14 sixes with a strike rate of close to 200.00 while he was nicely supported by the lower order which ensured team reached a massive total on board.
National Sports Academy in reply were all out for 46 runs courtesy some tight bowling by the UCA bowlers. To score a triple hundred in any format at any level is a commendable achievement and to score it in a 50 overs game coming at no.5 is all the more special. Shrut who practices at Universal Cricket Academy in Gujarat under Coach Pankaj Patankar has certainly made his presence felt in Gujarat Cricket.
Scorecard Link: https://cricheroes.in/scorecard/1765156/RCA—SUMMER-CUP-2021-(U-16)/UCA-A…-vs-National-Sports-Academy–Under-16
Click here to join Universal Cricket Academy: https://www.cricketgraph.com/academy/universal-cricket-academy/
Ahmedabad is one of the most developing cities of India right from its infrastructure to its economy to its overall development. The amount of growth the city of Ahmedabad has witnessed in the last 10-15 years has been totally commendable. With an overall growth, sports has also been given equal pedestal and you can see many players coming out from Ahmedabad who are playing state level in multiple sports. There is no denying the fact that gujjus love cricket and you can see a lot of improvement in the overall cricketing infrastructure of Ahmedabad. One such academy which is providing excellent coaching and overall cricketing experience to its students is Universal Cricket Academy in Ahmedabad.
Universal Cricket Academy is one of the best cricket academies in Ahmedabad which has two branches, one at Ambalal Farm near Kamupa Party Plot, Ranip and second at Sardar Patel Stadium in Navrangpura, Ahmedabad. The academy is open for both boys and girls with an age group from U6 to U22 years. The academy is led by Head Coach Pankaj Patankar who has a coaching experience of more than 10 years. Pankaj himself has been a state level cricketer who has played for Baroda U16 & U19 team in many state level tournaments including the famed Vijay Merchant Trophy & Vinoo Mankad Trophy.
Pankaj was also a part of NCA U19 Camp during his playing days. The academy which has close to 60 students at present has many players who are currently playing at state level right from the likes of Mustak Momin (U14 Ahmedabad &U14/U16 Ahmedabad District), Sarvil Rathod (U14 Ahmedabad &U14/U16 Ahmedabad District), Manan Thakor (U19 State Player), Mehul Sharma (U14 & U16 State), Rishabh Gohil (U14 State & District), Vicky Sharma (U14 State & District to name a few. Apart from these names, many players of the Universal Cricket Academy are actively playing at District level for Ahmedabad.
Speaking with Cricketgraph, Head Coach Pankaj Patankar shared “Universal Cricket Academy aims to provide the best facilities to its students in Ahmedabad. We want to raise the standards and quality of cricket in Ahmedabad. I have played for Baroda myself, i want to share all my learnings and experience as a professional cricketer to my young aspiring students. We are proud to see that many players of our academy today are playing at state and district level”
The academy apart from its Head Coach Pankaj Patankar boasts of 5 more qualified coaches and the academy provides all the modern necessary facilities for players to have quality practice. Universal Cricket Academy in Ahmedabad has a total of 7 nets, a bowling machine, cricket kit for students to use, astro turf, cement wicket as well as a match simulation ground for players.
Here’s wishing the Head Coach Pankaj Patankar & Universal Cricket Academy in Ahmedabad all the luck for a great career ahead.
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Played at Greenview Cricket Ground in Telangana, Hyderabad, Nandy CC after winning the toss decided to bat first scoring 226/6 in 45 overs. It was a good opening start by Ganesh Parmeswaram who scored 49 runs while it was the 120 run stand for the 6th wicket which changed the game for Nandy CC. Shyam Sathali (62) and Fasi (38) at the middle order stitched a match winning partnership to help their team reach a respectable total.
Picket CC who have been impressive this season so far found it difficult to get going in this particular chase as they got all out for 148 runs in 42.1 overs. Skipper G Prem (30 runs) & Aryan Reddy gave a brilliant opening start of 98 runs for the 1st wicket but Picket CC faced a batting collapse once they lost their openers. Aryan patiently crafted a 50 off 99 balls (5 fours) curbing his natural instincts of aggressive strokeplay to keep the scoreboard ticking. Aryan with 247 runs at an average of close to 49.40 & 13 wickets in 5 HCA League matches has been impressive this season. His tally includes a match winning hundred as well as a 6wkt haul to stamp his presence as an all-rounder to watch out for.
Picket CC eventually fell short by 78 runs on the back of some tight bowling by Nandy CC bowlers as Nandy CC won the match by 78 runs.
Scorecard link: https://cricheroes.in/scorecard/2221513/individual/NANDY-CRICKET-ACADEMY-(NCA-XI)-vs-Picket-Cc
- Name: Parag Khanapurkar
- City: Mumbai
- DOB: 31.03.1986
- Attribute: Left Handed Batsman & Right Arm Leg Spinner
- Current Coach: Umesh Patwal
- Current Academy: ithink Sportz Academy
To pursue cricket in a city like Mumbai is certainly very competitive because there are thousands of cricketers grinding hard daily with the same aim of making it big. To make a mark for oneself in such an intense competitive atmosphere is indeed commendable & even playing Top Division cricket in Mumbai is no less than an achievement considering there are 7 Divisions (from top to bottom) and only the best can make it to the top division after years of hardwork and consistent performances.
One such player who has silently made an impact is left-handed batsman Parag Khanapurkar. A compact batsman who bats at the top of the order and a handy right arm leg spinner who can chip in with those crucial spells, Parag made his presence felt right from his early days representing Mumbai U17 Team in state level tournaments. Parag has also been leading the Top Division Payyade Sports Club team since 2013. Under his captaincy, Payyade SC has won many tournaments and apart from being a skipper, he has been a prolific performer for the team too. Parag made a jump last season and now plays for Parsee Gymkhana’s top division team in Mumbai Cricket.
Parag’s consistent performances at the club level helped him earn his maiden List ‘A’ Call up for Mumbai where he scored a brilliant 123 on debut vs Punjab. Parag has been a part of Mumbai One Day team for 3 seasons between 2011 to 2015 while he also made his T20 Debut for Mumbai playing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy in 2010/2011. His ability to keep the scoreboard ticking and contribute as an all-rounder also made him a part of Rajasthan Royals Development Squad in 2010.
Parag has time and again proved on how explosive he can be in the white ball format as he scored 220 runs alongwith 9 wickets for Sobo Supersonics in Mumbai T20 (MPL) Season 2. Parag also played for Arcs Andheri in 2018 and his 36 ball 61 in that season is still fresh in the minds of many bowlers. Apart from having an extensive experience as professional cricketer in Mumbai, Parag has also proved his mettle overseas with 10 years of experience playing in UK, England. Parag represented various clubs right from the likes of Brentham CC, Bedminister CC, Brislington CC & Averybury CC. In the 2018 season playing for Averbury CC, Parag was at his all-round peak smashing 600 runs in 7 games with 25 wickets. In an overseas career spanning more than 10 years, Parag has scored more than 3000+ runs at an average of close to 47.00 along with 155 wickets in 71 games. These are the kind of stats, any team would like to have such a player in their playing XI.
A tried and tested player, a man of all seasons, Parag has performed with consistency right from his early days to his top division club level cricket to representing Mumbai in One Days and T20’s to playing overseas cricket under completely different conditions. Parag has given and passed all the rigorous tests of being a professional cricketer which makes him qualified to be called as an “experienced campaigner” of the game.
Speaking exclusively with Cricketgraph, Parag shared: “I have given my best for whichever team i have played for. In my career spanning almost 17 years as a professional cricketer, i have played for Mumbai U17, Mumbai Senior Team across all foramts, i have played 10 years in UK, i have played with consistency at top division level in Mumbai Cricket for more than a decade, you can check all my statistics. I am also working hard on my game, on my fitness under the guidance of Umesh Patwal sir at ithink Sports Academy. Yes i am not giving up and working hard to play at Domestic Level. I am open for any first class opportunities for any teams which needs an experienced player and a team which backs me up and keeps faith in me, i am sure i will not let them down”
Here’s wishing Parag all the luck for a great future ahead.
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Highlights of Parag’s Career & Top Performances:
- Played for Mumbai U17 Team in 2009/10
- Part of Mumbai One Day Team for 2 Seasons
- Part of Mumbai Ranji Team for 2 games vs UP & Punjab in 2011/12
- 123 on Debut vs Punjab in Vijay Hazare Trophy’ 2010
- Part of IPL Rajasthan Royals Development Squad 2010
- 220 runs & 9 wickets for Sobo Supersonics in MPL Season 2 (T20 Mumbai)
- 61 off 36 balls for Arcs Andheri in T20 Mumbai’18
- Best Batsman Times Shield B Div 2011 (487 runs in 5 games)
- Represented Mumbai University Team in 2006/07
- Best Batsman in Times Shield’2010
- 500 runs & 30 wickets in Times Shield B Div 2012
- 400 runs and 12 wickets in 5 matches in Police Shield’17
- Best Batsman Award in Police Shield’17 with a knock of 170 in the finals
- 390 runs and 7 wickets in Police Shield’18 (A Division)
- Scored 900 runs in Mumbai A Div Club Cricket for the Calendar Year 2019
- 1000+ runs with 25 wickets in 20 matches for Mumbai Customs in DY Patil Tournament (from 2010 till date)
- Captain of Top Division Payyade Cricket Club since 2013
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Mumbai Cricket Statistics (From 2010: Across all levels and formats)
- 50’s: 39
- 100’s- 19
- Double Hundreds: 2
- Highest Score: 201*in Times Shield B Division Quarter Finals
- Fifers: 12
- Best Bowling Figures: 6/42 vs Income Tax (Times Shield B Div)
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Overseas U.K Stats (from 2009-2019)
- Matches: 71
- Innings: 66
- Runs: 3076
- Average: 46.60
- 50’s: 21
- 100’s: 7
- Highest: 145*
- Wickets: 155
- Best Bowling Figures: 7/35
India is a place where cricket is a religion and millions of people worship this sport. In a country where cricket is played with so much of intensity, it’s but natural that competition will be equally intense to make it into the state level teams. One such young and promising player who is working hard on his game is 13yr old Asmith Kashyap pursuing cricket from Mumbai.
The young cricketer practices at Dilip Vengarkar Academy in Mumbai while he is taking personal coaching sessions from the experienced Mumbai Cricket Campaigner Kadir Patel. Asmith is a batting all-rounder who can be an impact batsman at the middle order while also provide you with those crucial spells. Asmith started playing cricket from a very young age of 8 at Dilip Vengsarkar Cricket Academy and he aims to play domestic cricket soon. Currently in the U14 Circuit, Asmith aims to serve as an all-rounder and he is rigorously practicing as well as playing as many matches as possible to be game ready for the season.
So far, if we go by the stats, the youngster has performed well as an all-rounder with over 2000+ runs averaging close to 30.00 along with 40 wickets in 98 games across all levels. Apart from that, he also has 40 dismissals as a fielder making him a complete all-round package. In the recently concluded Challenger Trophy & U19 Masters Trophy, Asmith Kashyap came in handy with the bat with consistent scores of 30’s and 40’s while also chipping in with a wicket or two whenever the ball was throwned upon him. Asmith who has already played U14 District level from TNCA is currently preparing to make it into the Mumbai U14 team and is working hard for the upcoming season.
Here’s wishing the youngster all the luck for a great future ahead as a professional cricketer.
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- Matches: 98
- 50’s 8
- 100’s – 3
- Runs: 2204
- Average: 28.27
- Highest: 117*
- Wickets: 40
- Best Bowling Figures: 3/9
- Fielding Dismissals: 40
Udaipur is one beautiful part of India which is known for its royalty, hospitality and geographic importance but when we talk about sports, it’s only recently this place is progressing with government now putting emphasis on development of sports. When we talk about cricket, obviously the atmosphere there is not as competitive as you would come across in Mumbai, Delhi, Kerala or Hyderabad as Udaipur is yet to scale on its cricketing infrastructure and academies to provide that necessary coaching facilities.
However, one academy which is a welcome addition to Udaipur and working hard on providing the best cricket coaching infrastructure is Coach Shah Rukh’s Unique Cricket Academy at Maharana Khelgaon, Udaipur. Shah Rukh has been coaching since last 7 years and is himself a professional cricketer. Infact, Shah Rukh even toured Dubai last year gaining rich experience of playing vs UAE Team. Apart from that, Shah Rukh has played Nationals and University Level Cricket. As a cricket coach, 26yr old Shah Rukh is NIS Level 1 & MS Dhoni Cricket Academy Level 1 certified cricket coach.
Unique Cricket Academy in Udaipur which currently has close to 30 students in a batch boasts of all the necessary facilities to ensure the best quality training for its students. The academy also has 6 nets, 4 turf wicket and 2 cement wickets to ensure players get practice matches and quality practice sessions. The academy is open for both boys and girls and over the years a few players have also played state level cricket from Unique Cricket Academy. Last to last year, 2 players of Unique Cricket Academy played State Level Cricket from Udaipur & Coach Shah Rukh shared with Cricketgraph.
“Our aim is to provide the best coaching infrastructure in Udaipur, we have all the necessary facilities required to train our kids and raise the quality of cricket in Udaipur. We certainly aim that our students go on to play higher levels of cricket as well as play for India. Our constant hard work will certainly reap the results one day”
Here’s wishing the Head Coach & Founder Shah Rukh and his Unique Cricket Academy in Udaipur all the luck for future.
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