The beauty of Mumbai lies in the story of every comman man and his struggles to reach where they are. Yes Mumbai is the city of dreams but no one knows that in this city of dreams, you have to slog it out to make it big. 19yr old swing bowler from Mumbai, Anjdeep Lad who has played for Mumbai U19, Mumbai U23, Parsee Gymkhana and Aakash Tigers in T20 Mumbai so far with best performances of 7/117 vs Madhya Pradesh in Cooch Behar Trophy, 5/64 vs Andhra Pradesh in CK Nayudu Trophy, 5/28 vs Tripura in CK Nayudu Trophy & 5/45 vs Sind Sports Club in Kanga League A Division is one such example of a hard working boy making a name for himself in Cricket. Anjdeep shared his emotional story with Cricketgraph and we are sure most of the readers will find it touching.
Anjdeep shared “My first cricket coach was my father- Ajay Lad, he infused the love of Cricket into me, made me fall for the game. My dad really wanted me to play cricket & started off by making me bat first, I started playing with a season ball when I was 4 & then came Sulakshan Kulkarni Sir whom i met in 2015. Kulkarni sir has also been a huge turning point in my career.
Anjdeep started playing cricket at the age of 4 as a batsman where his father would put in hours during the weekend and both would practice at Navy Nagar. Anjdeep who is now a recognized swing bowler did not started off as a bowler back then in his early days!
When Cricketgraph asked him to elaborate more on his growing up days, Anjdeep said-
In 2013, i used to bowl a bit, just as a part timer though but I was always told by my school coaches back then Rishi Mayekar and Salil Babar sir that i was fairly quicker than the other bowlers and my dad being a fast bowler himself who has played for the Western Naval command & the Inter Services Tournaments saw that I had a fair bit of pace too!
So came 2014, during a summer Vacation Camp Selection, dad came and told me to remove my pads, take the spikes and go bowl. I turned out to be the quickest in my center. That’s when I took up bowling seriously. That’s where my main attribute i.e pace bowling took shape. I really can’t thank Dad enough for that spontaneous decision he made which changed my career. I wasn’t really a good batsman with just a few scores here and there but when it came to pace bowling, I was making a mark in the U16’s. Then obviously another turning point was when I met Sulakshan Kulkarni Sir. Before that, I really was a bowler who was fairly quick who just came in and bowled. But with the time I had at his nets, his practice tours, i started to pick up a few things from his vast experience and he actually changed my attitude towards cricket. Kulkarni sir bought upon a huge change in my mentality as a cricketer & that was very very important. He made me believe that I had a something special about my bowling & that made me really confident. I remember he said once that you will play for Mumbai very soon, and the very next year i made my debut for Mumbai U19 in 2016.
When we asked him whether he faced any struggles as a teenager, Anjdeep further shared with us-
Before I actually made my Mumbai U19 debut, things weren’t really that easy. There was a time when I just wasn’t getting picked in certain places. Sometimes not performing but that’s a part and parcel of the game. But the worst time I had in my life was back in 2016. I had played for Mumbai U19 in the One-Dayers but did not perform enough in the U19 Selection tournament and was subsequently dropped from the Cooch Behar team. That’s when a huge bomb was dropped on me. Adding more worries to my woes-my dad was diagnosed with stomach cancer stage III advanced. He was in the hospital most of the times going through operations. I was in the standbys at that time & the uncertainty of what would happen next would completely weigh me down. My dad’s degrading health, me just not being in the team. I didn’t know where things were going, where things were leading too. It was a really really tough phase but I got through it thankfully. Unfortunately dad didn’t, he passed away in April 2017 just a week before I left for my Zonal Camp. Today I am playing more to complete my dad’s dream of seeing me as successful cricketer than anything else in the world.
There are many people I am thankful for in this journey but one of them and the most important one is my 1st coach-my dad. He gave me a reason to live for, to strive for, to work hard for cricket. That’s the best gift any dad could ever give a child. A clear path to follow, dad put in hours of hardwork into me, i just wished he was here to see everything I have achieved till now. I am even grateful to my coach Sulakshan Kulkarni Sir and my mother for standing there with me through all the tough times she’s been through. I also want to convey a big thank you to Rohit Bhalla sir who helped me alot with practice during my tough phase between 2010-2014.
When asked on his further goals, Anjdeep shared:
My Ultimate Goal is to play Test Cricket for India but short term goals is to break into the Ranji Trophy Side soon.
Let’s wish the young man all the luck for a great career ahead as he has certainly made his dad, his coach, his mother and everyone related to him proud at such a young age.
NCML after being put to bat first registered quite a healthy total of 200/3 in 20 overs which in most of the cases is good to defend. The foundation for a big total was laid down by their openers who stitched a massive 152 run stand in just 88 deliveries. Himanshu Bharadwaj opening the innings scored a scintillating 75 off 47 balls (11 fours, 2 sixes) while wicket-keeper opening batsman Mohit Rathi scored 94 in mere 53 balls (12 fours, 3 sixes) tearing apart bowlers in every corner of the ground.
Reach 11 in reply were all out for 132 runs in 17.1 overs on the back of some excellent bowling by NCML bowlers. Sridhar with 3/3 in 1.1 over was the pick of the bowlers while Anil (2/26) and Himashu Bharadwaj (2/33) came up with timely wickets.
NCML won the match by 68 runs while Himanshu Bharadwaj for his all-round performance was declared ‘man of the match’
Adi Manav Group opting to bat first at Shiva Cricket Academy could not muster a big total getting all out for 137 runs in 28.1 overs. They had batsman chipping in with Nikhil (35) and Sidak (26) giving starts but they lacked someone who could make a big individual score. From the bowlers, Anshu with 4/15 in 5 overs was the pick of the bowlers.
Defending a low total of 136 runs, the pressure was certainly more on Adi Manav Group but they managed to successfully defend it on the back of some good bowling. Rahul Sharma Cricket Academy were bundled out for just 75 runs thanks to a fantastic spell by Anuj who came up with envious bowling figures of 6/13 in 3.4 overs including a maiden. Anuj gave a breakthrough almost at every 4th ball he delivered which are some amazing bowling numbers! He maintained excellent line and length not allowing any batsman to settle in as Adi Manav Group went on to win the match by 62 runs.
Anuj for his excellent spell was declared ‘man of the match’
Indeed, it is a great honor for India that India’s First MS Dhoni Residential Cricket Academy has been opened and fully operational since last one year at Nagpur – Maharashtra. The joint venture of SGR Sports Academy and Aarka Sports Management has shaped the first of its kind residential cricket academy in India with patronage of former Indian Cricket Captain MS Dhoni. 21 st November 2018 was the most awaited day for Nagpur and India when MS Dhoni himself inaugurated the Academy at Gaikwad Patil International School Dongargoan Near Jamtha International Stadium Nagpur. The two faces behind this academy are the two sports passionate brothers Mr. Mangesh S Raut and Mr. Lavlesh S Raut.
For the uninitiated, Mangesh was a born athlete, he was an expert player in multiple sports like cricket, football, handball and ball badminton. Mangesh Raut has played at National level and he has represented Maharashtra State in Handball. He was also a star in ball badminton where in he has played at University, State and National level tournaments. He started his carrier in sales and marketing in LG electronics and went on to become the Area manager in a short span of time. After that he played a new role of CEO in Dental college at Nagpur for 3 years. Post that he joined a company as Director of sales and marketing who was in the sector of air conditioners. Mangesh is indeed one versatile personality with a good corporate experience into various businesses & now he has forayed into a new challenging field of sports which he loves the most for the development of grassroots cricket.
USP of this academy is, all the coaching patterns and overall concept is developed by the man himself-MS Dhoni for the budding cricket players. Daily minimum 6 hrs of extensive coaching and practice makes this academy different from other academies. Coaches are certified by BCCI (Board of Cricket Control in India). Academy regularly focus on nutrition, strength and conditioning, balanced diet, mental strength etc. Regular practice matches within the academy and with the invited clubs from all over India is very regularly conducted for giving hands on expertise on playing matches with different players and conditions. SGR sports academy has achieved a milestone that players even from from UK and South Africa have visited the academy for specialized training in spin bowling in a span of less than one year.
Clubs from all over India regularly visit the academy for practice matches on regular basis. SGR Sports academy also arranges overseas tour to South Africa, England, Australia and many more cricket playing countries. Academy is having best of the facilities spread over 30 acres of beautifully landscaped area which includes full cricket ground with 4 central wickets, 6 outdoor practice nets, 4 indoor practice nets and bowling machine. A CBSE education from grade 1 to 10 along with hostel facility for both boys and girls is within the campus. Academy is very much connected to Airport and Railway station by private transport.
Prominent International cricket players like Ms. Smriti Mandhana and Jemimah Rodriges have visited the academy for sharing their world class experience with our players and boosting their morale for different formats of cricket at different levels. SGR Sports Academy is also affiliated with Vidharba Cricket Association and they are putting their best efforts to give world class facilities and coaching to young cricketers. Nine girls from different age group have been selected for VCA (Vidarbha Cricket Association) probables camp which is ongoing at VCA Nagpur. Our players are selected for state teams like Odisha, MP, CG and Nagpur while our 2 players have been signed by a leading sports brand from Assam. Academy is certainly getting a huge response for all age group players from all over India as well as from Nepal. Players coming from Jammu Kashmir, Odisha, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Rajasthan and many more other states have already enrolled with the academy.
For more information about SGR Sports kindly log on to
Website – www.sgrsports.com
FB page – MS Dhoni Cricket academy Nagpur
Contact : +91 8600106939
Islamia Cricket Academy batting first at Bhuteshwar Ground dominated the Delhi Cricket Academy bowlers putting up a very good total of 190/8 in 20 overs. Despite some quick wickets in between, skipper Amaan Bhuraa coming at no.4 played a game changing knock of 80 runs in 44 balls. It was a dominating display of batting which included 6 fours and 6 sixes despite him lacking support from the other end. Abdul’s late cameo of 25* off 11 down the order was quite useful in the death overs. Deepak Bharadwaj though a bit on the expensive side was the pick of the bowlers with 3/51 in 4 overs.
Chasing 191, Delhi Cricket Academy were all out for 137 runs in 12.1 overs. Aggressive opener Deepak Bharadwaj fought it out alone hitting a blazing 73 off 33 balls which had as many as 8 sixes in it. Deepak kept on playing his natural game despite no support from the other end. Amaan Rehman bowled a fantastic spell of 4/38 in 3.1 overs while Harsh Kamboj with 3/43 was the 2nd best of the lot.
Islamia Cricket Academy won the match by 53 runs while skipper Amaan Bhuraa was declared ‘man of the match’
Netmagic team after opting to bat first posted a decent total of 150/8 in 20 overs. Dattaram Parab opening the innings top scored with 57 runs while Prathamesh (39) and Ritesh (31) chipped in with crucial cameos at the middle order. From RBL, Avdhoot Chavan with 3/36 in 4 overs was the pick of the bowlers.
Chasing 151 in the all important finals does add a bit of a pressure and Netmagic capitalized on that pressure by restricting RBL to just 83 runs all out. The bowlers did a commendable job with Ritesh Punyarthu (2/15 in 4 overs) and Shashank Peeru (2/17 in 4 overs) inficting maximum damage. The rest of the bowlers also bowled well around them as Netmagic won the finals by 67 runs.
Aditya Mandhare from RBL with 165 runs and 6 wkts in the tournament was declared ‘man of the tournament”
In the match vs Harry Cricket Academy, Tomar Cricket Academy after being put to bat first at Mams, Haridwar mustered a big total of 220/5 in 25 overs. Despite a few early wickets, skipper Mayank Pal who came at no.4 went on to score a destructive 143* coming in mere 66 balls. Not only did he reach one of the fastest hundreds but it was an innings full of entertainment for the viewers and his team mates as he plonked the bowlers for 10 sixes alongwith 16 boundaries at a strike rate of 216.77! Thanks to some tight bowling by the Tomar Academy bowlers, Harry Cricket Academy managed to post only 137/7 in 20 overs as Tomar Academy won the match by 83 runs. Suchit Sonare (2/28) and Dheeraj Kumar (2/26) with 2 wkts each were the pick of the bowlers while Mayank Pal was declared ‘man of the match’
In the other match vs Delhi Warriors Salim Ansari team, Tomar C.A after being put to bat first once again managed to post a healthy total of 231/5 in 30 overs. A decent top order start with Mayank coming at no.4 changed the game in a matter of few overs as he clobbered bowlers in every corner of the ground en-route his impressive 125 in just 65 balls (16 fours, 5 sixes). Again his innings was a perfect mixture of hard hitting and toying with the bowlers pushing Tomar C.A to a good total. Delhi Warriors in reply were all out for 131 and it was all-rounder Mayank with the ball too coming up with envious bowling figures of 5/23 in 5 overs being the pick of the bowlers. Tomar Cricket Academy won the match by 78 runs while it was Mayank bagging ‘man of the match’ award.
Delhi Cricket Academy opting to bat first at Bhuteshwar Ground posted a massive total of 213/5 in 20 overs. Opening the innings, Deepak Bharadwaj laid the foundation for DCA’s innings taking on the bowlers with pure domination. Deepak went on to score a blazing 117 in mere 56 balls and he dealt mostly in sixes much to the entertainment of his team mates and the spectators. His innings included 12 massive sixes and 6 boundaries at a strike rate of almost close to 210.00! Apart from him, wicket-keeper Rohit Rawat chipped in with a crucial 54 off 37 balls. From the bowlers, Shivam Shrivastav was the pick of the bowlers with 3/44 though he was a bit on the expensive side.
Defending a healthy total of 213, Ayodhya XI managed to put up a tough fight with Kuldeep (31) and Abhishek Sonkar (63) at the middle order trying to ruffle up the feathers of the opposition. However, Delhi Cricket Academy bowlers restricted Ayodhya XI to 199/9 in 20 overs winning the match by 14 runs.
Deepak Bharadwaj for his scintillating ton was declared ‘man of the match’. From the bowling department, Saddhant Jain with 3/46 was the pick of the bowlers while Ayush Tripathy (2/44) and Anurag Tiwari (2/21) were also impressive with the ball. Anurag bowled a tight spell in a high scoring match while Ayush is also one bowler to lookout for.
Ayush who also plays for Bharadwaj Club was declared the “Best Bowler of the tournament” in the GFCA Serieswherein he had taken 22 scalps in 7 matches for his team-Bharadwaj Club.
Pragnesh over the years has batted consistently since his Under 14 days. From scoring runs consistently at the school level, he soon graduated to representing top level clubs in Mumbai on the basis of his merit. In the last few years pragnesh represented teams like Dadar Parsee Zoroastrian Club, MIG Club, Ghatkoper Jolly Gymkhana, Parel SC which are all top level cricket clubs in Mumbai cricket.
Over the years, he has developed himself to be a rock solid and a reliable top order batsman, Pragnesh has smashed crucial tons across various MCA Tournaments like Young Comrade, Naren Tamhane, Payyade Selection Tournament, Mahindra Shield tournament and many more.
It was on the basis of his consistent hunger for hundreds he was eventually selected for Mumbai U19 team where he did not disappoint either. Pragnesh delivered it like a boss scoring an impressive ton in U19 Dhruv Pandove Tournament followed by twin hundreds (147 & 106) vs Himachal Pradesh in the Cooch Bihar Trophy which are still freshly etched in everyone’s mind.
Pragnesh Kanpillewar who is a student of Ameya Sports Academy, Virar under the aegis of Santosh Pingulkar sir is another feather in the cap for the academy as just a few years ago a batting sensation was launched from the same academy in the name of Prithvi Shaw.
It was a proud moment for Virar as many dignitaries came to wish him and the coach all the luck for a great future ahead. Pragnesh received blessings from Ex Mayor of Vasai-Virar Mr.Rajeev Patil, MLA of Vasai-Virar Mr.Hitendra Thakur and ex vice president of MCA Mr.Pankaj Thakur. All these dignitaries are quite passionate for sports and have contributed actively in their capacities for the society. When they came to know about the good news of Pragnesh getting selected for India, they personally came & congratulated the young man who certainly made Virar as well as the whole city proud.
Kalpesh Koli Tournament is till date one of the biggest U16 platforms in Mumbai conducted by MCA for budding young cricketers coming from different corners of the city coming together to perform at their full ability. Let’s take a look at the players who topped the charts.
Highest Run Getters-
- Abhinav Singh (Ghatkoper Center)-391 runs in 9 innings @48.88 & strike rate of 84.09
- Roneet Thakur (Kalina Center)-333 runs in 5 innings @83.25 & strike rate of 73.19
- Shashwat Jhunjhunwala (Kalina Center)- 322 runs in 6 innings @53.67 & strike rate of 90.70
- Akash Singh(Thane Center)-314 runs in 7 innings @78.50 & strike rate of 63.56
- Jash Ganiga (Kalina Center)– 280 runs in 6 innings @46.67 & strike rate of 85.69
Highest Wicket Takers-
- Zenith Sachdev (Kalina Center)- 31 wkts in 8 innings @9.00 and econ of 2.55
- Shubham Kharat (Kalina Center)- 22 wkts in 6 innings @7.00 and econ of 2.16
- Amaan Khan (Ghatkoper Center)-17wkts in 7 innings @14.00 and econ of 3.05
- Abhinav Singh (Ghatkoper Center)- 16 wkts in 7 innings @13.00 & econ of 2.43
- Prince Badiyani (Shivaji Park Center)-16 wkts in 4 innings @11.00 & econ of 3.42