Vikrant Gupta: A Cricket Coach who can still give batters a run for the money!

Mumbai Cricket has thrived over the years with many talented players going on to represent Team India and Ranji Trophy. With such a rich cricketing history, we often tend to under rate the contribution of coaches in making these wonderful cricketers. Over the years, many cricket coaches have made a name for themselves imparting quality training and values to its players making them world class cricketers. Coach Vikrant Gupta is also one such name who is slowly making a mark for himself as one of the upcoming, genuine & hard working cricket coaches from Mumbai Cricket.

Just like many, Vikrant started playing cricket from an early age and even represented his school team St. Francis D Assisi High School. Graduating to U14 level, Vikrant started playing club cricket representing Navroz CC, Lord Northbrook CC, Aarey CC to name a few. Vikrant, whose bowling action might remind you of Ravi Ashwin also Captained his college cricket team Mithibai College.

Sharing with Cricketgraph, Vikrant said “It all started at school, would like to thank my School St Fransis D’assisi High School & my college Mithibai for giving me the opportunity. Unfortunately i lost My dad in Dec 2000, he was my motivator then. Now due to responsibilities in life also had to look out for options to work as a professional and earn money. So I started playing as a professional cricketer for clubs which helped me take care of my family and also made me mature enough. Soon i started looking after my family financially as i was the only breadwinner”

Opportunities soon knocked the door for Vikrant as he got a chance to get associated with Global Cricket School, Mumbai in 2007 & assist in coaching International teams and players. Vikrant also got the opportunity to work with county team players and work with many cricket boards like New Zealand Cricket, England & Wales Cricket Board Men’s and Women’s Team, Scotland, Netherlands, Hongkong Men & Women’s and Ireland Men and Women’s teams. Getting a global experience and traveling overseas interacting with different breeds of players and teams made Vikrant an evolved personality not only as a human but also as a cricket coach.

Sharing with Cricketgraph, Vikrant said “I worked with Global Cricket School from 2007 to 2016. It was a great experience to travel overseas in countries like Australia, Dubai, Srilanka along with the international teams. Thats where i had the privilege to work with Cricketing greats like Andy Flower, Graham Thorpe, Mike Hesson, Jos Butler, Joe Root, Kyle Cotzer & many more.  

Being a tough nut to crack as an off-spinner & his uncanny resemblance to Ravi Ashwin’s bowling style, Courtesy to Star Sports team in 2017, Vikrant was not only interviewed by Sarang from Star Sports but he was also invited to bowl to Cricket Australia team in the nets. What’s more, he was the center of attraction in the nets giving top Australian batters a tough time including the likes of David Warner! In 2018, Vikrant completed ICC level 1 Course as well as MCA Level “O” while he was about to pursue ICC Level 2 but got stuck due to covid lockdown. Vikrant has also completed umpiring course from Mumbai Cricket Association.  

In 2018, Vikrant got the opportunity to work with Vibgyor international School Goregaon West & Crickingdom Cricket Academy by Rohit Sharma as Head coach of Islam Gymkhana Centre. The experience of working as a Head Coach of Islam Gymkhana center got him to understand how it feels like working with a global brand. Playing cricket alongside Rohit Sharma during U19 days also helped him to acclimatize at Crickingdom. Even though cricket has not resumed at maximum places due to lockdown, Vikrant Gupta with the help of Kastur Park Society’s management, committee members and residents has started Winz Cricket Academy in Borivali on the society’s play ground where all the upcoming and professional players can come and practice.

Vikrant who now has close to a decade of coaching experience shares ”I am thankful to Kastur Park Society & would love to continue with the society to help all the young players practice and develop them as professional cricketers. I would also like to give special thanks To Parag Madkaikar Sir who has been my mentor and friend helping me and supporting me during the good and the bad times”

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