NRCA’s Cricket Tour to Indore: A Perfect Blend of Cricket and Culture

Joining a top cricket academy like NRCA comes with many benefits, and one of the best is the touring programs organized by Head Coach Nilesh Raut. These tours are not just about playing cricket on different grounds but also about exploring new cities and their culture. This experience helps players prepare for tournaments like the Ranji Trophy, where they travel and play in different conditions.

NRCA Academy, located in Dadar’s Shivaji Park, provides its players with such unique opportunities. This time, NRCA organized a cricket tour to Indore’s Munimji Cricket Ground, giving its players a chance to experience new playing conditions and a different environment.

A Tour for Passionate House Cricketers

What makes this tour special is that most of these players are house cricketers—passionate individuals who are well-settled in their respective professions but love to experience cricket in different places. The tour provided them with an opportunity to continue playing the game they love while exploring new locations.

Over the years, these players have traveled to multiple international destinations such as Dubai, Malaysia, and Sri Lanka for cricket tours. They have also toured Jaipur three times and, for the first time, visited Indore’s Munimji Cricket Ground. Looking ahead, they plan to tour Tarapur, Boisar, and Bangkok, which will be exclusively for them.

The Indore Tour: Competitive Cricket in a New Setting

The tour, which took place on 8th and 9th February 2025, saw many players, including working professionals, take a keen interest in visiting Munimji Cricket Ground.  Head Coach Nilesh Raut meticulously organized the players’ stay, ensuring smooth arrangements for accommodation, food, and other necessities—except for travel, which was left to the players’ convenience.

The tour was divided into two match days:

8th February: A white-ball 25-over match between NRCA and Munimji Cricket Club.

9th February: A red-ball 40-over match between the same teams, with slight changes in the playing line-up.

These matches allowed the players to test their skills in different formats and adapt to new conditions, an experience that enhances their overall game.

Exploring the Spiritual and Cultural Side of Indore

For Nilesh Raut, cricket was not the only focus of this tour. He ensured that the players also got a chance to explore Indore’s nearby cultural and spiritual landmarks.

Just 55 km away from Indore is Ujjain, a city rich in history and spirituality. The team visited the Mahakaleshwar Mandir, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, where they had darshan and felt rejuvenated by the divine atmosphere.

Another significant visit was to Sandipani Ashram, where Lord Krishna and Sudama once studied. This historic and spiritual site is a well-known tourist attraction, adding a special touch to their journey.

A Tour to Remember

For these house cricketers, cricket is not just a sport—it’s a passion that keeps them connected to the game despite their busy professional lives. The Indore tour was not just about competitive matches but also about building friendships, gaining new experiences, and exploring different cultures.

With more tours planned in the future, including Tarapur, Boisar, and Bangkok, NRCA continues to provide its players with memorable cricketing and cultural experiences, making their journey in the sport even more special.