Do you remember watching the World Cup with your family? Cricket is a game that is loved by most Indians. One can see the craze behind cricket during the World Cups, the zeal and enthusiasm can be felt in the atmosphere which also accounts for the dedication that people have for this game.
One can also see children playing cricket in every street of the country and street cricket has a following of its own. This same enthusiasm and zeal can be transformed into a professional career.
If you are one of those, who not only love watching this game but at the same time love playing it and have a passion for making a career in it, then this blog will help you figure out how to become a cricketer.
You don’t play for the crowd, you play for the COUNTRY.- M.S. Dhoni
How to Become a Cricketer: Prerequisites
Becoming a professional cricketer is not an easy task. You need to be good at playing cricket but that is not enough in order to become a successful cricket player. To make a career out of it, you need to possess certain other skills. Here are a few prerequisites on how to become a cricketer:
- Practice: You need to practice a lot and unleash your potential for the game in order to have the ability to take it on a professional level.
- Basic Knowledge of the Game: Knowing how to use a bat and a ball does not sum up this game, you need to have a basic understanding of various terms, equipment used in cricket and what are the rules and regulations of the game.
- Knowing your Strongholds: You need to know what part of this game you are good at, with practice, you will learn if you are good baller or if you are good at batting and how can you improve your weak points and strengthen your strong points.
“Kohli evolved before our eyes, beginning as a talented batsman with rough edges but with the enormous good fortune to be playing in a team with Tendulkar, Laxman, Dravid and Sehwag. He absorbed important lessons from each of them. A quick learner, Kohli found his uniqueness in assimilating the best practices of others. And in adding his own flavour to the package.”
– Wisden India editor Suresh Menon.
Step-by-Step Guide on How to Become a Cricketer
In order for you to become a professional cricketer, there are certain things that you need to keep in mind and keep certain goals for yourself and work towards them. Here is a step-by-step guide to making a career in this field:
Join a Cricket Academy
If you aspire to be one of the men in blue, then the most essential step is to join a cricket academy. Learning through a professional coach we’ll help you get familiar with the exposure that is required to excel in this field.
Along with your daily self-practice, devote ample time to learning effective tips and tricks in a cricket academy.
For your big dream, all that matters is taking the right tiny steps like joining the right cricket academy which will help you display your strengths in a better way and combat all your weaknesses.
Also, by becoming a part of a professional academy, you will be surrounded by competitive teammates who will push you to perform better each day.
List of Top Cricket Academies in India
The cricket academies that have produced numerous talented cricketers over the years and are still on their way to contributing to the development of sports in India are as follows:
Name of Cricket Academy | Location |
National Cricket Academy (NCA) | Bengaluru |
MRF Pace Foundation | Chennai |
Sehwag Cricket Academy | Various Locations |
Delhi Daredevils (DD) Academy | Delhi |
Vidarbha Cricket Association Academy | Nagpur |
Karnataka Institute of Cricket (KIOC) | Bengaluru |
Rajasthan Cricket Academy | Jaipur |
Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association Academy | Indore |
Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) Academy | Mumbai |
Also Read: Top 10 Cricket Academies In India
Find the Right Coach
Cricket players have a cordial relationship with their coaches, have you ever wondered why? This is so because coaches not only just help you get familiar with the sport but also push you beyond the limits so that everyone can see your hidden charm of which was earlier only visible to the experienced eyes.
While selecting your coach, conduct a thorough background check and then decide which one to choose. Often various retired cricketers take up jobs as coaches either in academies or independently.
Name of Indian Cricket Coaches | Description |
Ravi Shastri | Former Indian cricketer and current head coach of the Indian cricket team. |
Gary Kirsten | Former South African cricketer who coached India to victory in the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup. |
Anil Kumble | Former Indian cricketer and renowned leg-spinner who had a stint as head coach of the Indian team. |
John Wright | Former New Zealand cricketer who was the first foreign coach of the Indian cricket team and served from 2000 to 2005. |
Duncan Fletcher | Former Zimbabwean cricketer and coach who served as the head coach of the Indian team from 2011 to 2015. |
Greg Chappell: | Former Australian cricketer who coached the Indian team from 2005 to 2007. |
Ravi Shastri (second stint) | Besides his tenure, he also served as the team director from 2014 to 2016. |
Bharat Arun | Indian cricketer turned coach who has been serving as the bowling coach of the Indian cricket team. |
Vikram Rathour | Former Indian cricketer who is currently the batting coach of the Indian cricket team. |
R Sridhar | Former Indian cricketer who serves as the fielding coach of the Indian cricket team. |
Join a Professional Team
To start your career as a professional cricketer, you need to start playing for a professional team, being in the school or college cricket team will give you an upper hand in this situation and then you can start playing for a team that plays for a various private cricket tournament.
You might also want to start playing for a club that is well known, for you to get selected in any popular cricket club you need to meet the basic qualifications given by that particular club.
Start Playing Tournaments
You may start small but you need to aim big. Once you start playing for a club or for any team, you need to make sure that you go to tournaments held across the country.
Your gateway to becoming a professional cricketer is to join a highly competitive team and try to get into the state team. An example of this would be the Ranji Trophy if you play for such prestigious tournaments and trophies there are more chances of you making a successful career in this field.
“I believe in giving more than 100% on the field, and I don’t really worry about the result if there is a great commitment on the field. That’s a victory for me.”
– MS Dhoni
Work on Your Body to Become a Cricketer
Have you ever seen Virat Kohli’s extensive workout in the gym? Do you know how MS Dhoni at this age is able to excel at the YOYO test? The answer to both questions is the same, that is, intake of a properly balanced diet and routine workout. To achieve better physical health, it is necessary for you to constantly hit the gym.
From basic cardio to a high-intensity workout, make everything a part of your gym routine. Working tirelessly in the gym will be of no good if you do not focus on maintaining a balanced diet. You have to directly cut off all the unnecessary carbohydrates and sugar intakes from your diet and emphasize protein intake.
This step is one of the most essential ones in how to become a cricketer journey and is not just limited to the early phase of it. Whether you are in the practice of becoming a cricketer or have been successfully qualified as a professional, maintaining good physical health is the utmost priority of every cricketer.
Also Read: Top 10 Sports Scholarships in India
National Cricket Team Selection
All the Nations who actively participate in cricket, have an A-Team along with their national team. To pay your way to the National Cricket Team of your country, it is necessary for you to first become a member of the A-Team, however, it is not a mandatory step.
The players who perform well at the National level have the chance to become a part of the A-Team. The A-teams of all the nations compete with each other so that the potential cricketers get trained in tackling the foreign pitches. To fix your spot in the national team, one must work fingers to the bone.
Apart from exploring the option of being a player in the national team, you can also work in the franchise and become a part of leagues that are organised in various countries.
Some of the prominent Cricket leagues which players go for are IPL India, County Cricket England, BBL Australia, etc. But, before becoming a part of one of these, do not forget to check the guidelines by BCCI if you are an Indian national.
Believe in Yourself
The last thing in this guide to becoming a cricketer is to believe in yourself and the results will follow. In the history of Indian cricket, many players emerged as stars by fighting the odds and believing in their game. Mentioned below are some of them:
Name of Cricketer | Beginning of Career |
MS Dhoni | Grew up in a modest household in Ranchi and worked as a ticket collector before becoming one of India’s most successful captains. |
Sachin Tendulkar | Although not extremely poor, he grew up in a middle-class family in Mumbai and had to work hard to reach the pinnacle of cricket. |
Kapil Dev | Came from a modest background in Chandigarh and went on to lead India to its first World Cup win in 1983. |
Ravindra Jadeja | Grew up in a lower-middle-class family in Jamnagar and faced financial struggles before becoming a key player for India. |
Umesh Yadav | Son of a coal miner from Nagpur who worked hard to become a fast bowler for India. |
Hardik Pandya | Hails from a financially constrained family in Baroda and worked hard alongside his brother Krunal to establish themselves in cricket. |
Yusuf Pathan | Came from a humble background in Baroda and worked his way up to play for India. |
Mohammad Shami | Grew up in a small village in Uttar Pradesh, facing many hardships before becoming a prominent fast bowler for India. |
Harbhajan Singh | Grew up in a small village in Punjab with limited resources before becoming one of India’s greatest spin bowlers. |
Also Read: Study Sports Management
Free or Subsidized Coaching
Several cricket academies in India provide free subsidized coaching to talented young cricketers, especially those from underprivileged backgrounds. Here is the list of some notable ones:
Name of Academy | Benefits |
Tendulkar Middlesex Global Academy (TMGA) | Offers scholarships for talented players who cannot afford the fees |
The Sehwag Cricket Academy | Provides free coaching to talented players from underprivileged backgrounds |
MS Dhoni Cricket Academy | Known to offer scholarships and free coaching to deserving young cricketers |
Javagal Srinath Cricket Academy | Offers scholarships and free coaching for talented cricketers |
Kapil Dev Cricket Academy | Provides free coaching to young and talented players who need financial support |
Jaipur Cricket Academy | Offers free coaching to talented cricketers from underprivileged backgrounds |
Vengsarkar Cricket Academy | Known for providing free coaching and support to talented players who lack financial resources |
Baroda Cricket Association Academy | Offers free coaching to talented young cricketers from underprivileged backgrounds |
Vidarbha Cricket Association Academy | Provides free coaching to deserving cricketers in the Vidarbha region |
MRF Pace Foundation | While primarily focusing on fast bowlers, it provides free coaching and support to deserving and talented individuals. |
Also Read: Essay on My Favourite Sport: Samples in 100 Words and 200 Words
FAQs
1. How to start a career in cricket?
Ans. Join a local cricket club or academy, practice regularly, and participate in tournaments to gain experience and exposure.
2. Is 17 too late to start cricket?
Ans. No, 17 is not too late to start cricket. With dedication and hard work, you can still achieve success.
3. Can I become a cricketer after 12th?
Ans. Yes, you can become a cricketer after 12th grade. Join an academy, train hard, and participate in matches to showcase your talent.
Explore More Interesting Topics For Career
A career in sports can be rewarding if you choose to take steps in the right direction. If you wish to explore this field and are not sure about what to do next, let the experts at Leverage Edu assist you in making an informed decision so that you can soar high in the sky of limitless potential.
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Sir I want to be professional cricketer
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Nice quiz
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Hi Pankaj,
Thanks for your feedback!
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20 comments
Sir I want to be professional cricketer
Nice quiz
Hi Pankaj,
Thanks for your feedback!
Super
I understood that after reading this page how to become a professional cricketer.
Hey Karthik!
We are glad to hear that. If you are interested in cultivating a career in sports then you should read these blogs as well-
https://leverageedu.com/blog/career-in-sports/
https://leverageedu.com/blog/sports-scholarships/
https://leverageedu.com/blog/sports-scientist/
I want to become a cricketer
Hi Arun,
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👌🏻👌🏻 sir i have a confident to become a cricket player but i have financial problem what can I do Sir tell me i am age is 16 years . I am a face bowler . I am playing practice matches. 1 match not taken wicket but capitan gave me only 1 over. In second match i take 1 wicket and 1 run out . Sir plz tell me what can i do.
👌🏻👌🏻 sir i have a confident to become a cricket player but i have financial problem what can I do Sir tell me i am age is 16 years
sir i have a confident to become a cricket player but i have financial problem what can I do Sir tell me i am age is 16 years
Hi Yesu, confidence is the key to success! We wish you great luck with your journey to becoming a cricket player! There are many organisations and sports associations which support skilful students through scholarships and fellowships. To find a suitable scholarship for yourself, read our blog on sports scholarships in India – https://leverageedu.com/blog/sports-scholarships/
I want to become a cricketer from childhoods
But i cannot find the right way for it
How can my dream come true
Hi Renish!
Please connect with our experts at 1800572000! Hope this helps!
am 25 years old. Too much interested and more love in cricket. But my family situation i just wasted my life.. If any chance at the age of 25 to get cricketer.. Please..
It’s never late to reignite your passion! Let us tell you that sports is a booming industry. There are plenty of roles and jobs that are carried out behind the big screen and common people like us aren’t even aware of such job prospects. Here are a few blogs that will help you to know more:
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https://leverageedu.com/blog/sports-management-courses/
https://leverageedu.com/blog/sports-science/
https://leverageedu.com/blog/sports-manager/
https://leverageedu.com/blog/career-in-sports/
Hi sir I’m chintu I wanna become a cricketer nd I lv cricket soo muchh but I don’t know the way how to become a cricketer nd also I have financial issues but I wanna become a cricketer it’s my goal I have full conference on me will u help fr me….👍👍
Hi Chintu. Thank you for your comment and we are definitely inspired by your passion for Cricket. You should definitely check out the Top 10 Cricket Academies in India and go through their details.
Excellent questions i learnt something from this question
Hi Srinivas. Thank you for your comment. Glad that you were able to learn something from our blog. If you liked this one, you should definitely check out our blog on Top 10 Cricket Academies in India and let us know your thoughts.