• Thursday, March 28, 2024

Sport

Sikh teen Harjas Singh thanks parents after getting picked for Australia U-19 cricket squad

Harjas Singh (Picture: Jagdip Singh Kahlon Twitter account/@jagdipskahlon)

By: Shubham Ghosh

Like any other Indian, he too harbours a deep interest in cricket and Harjas Singh eventually saw his dream coming true as he has recently been picked for the U-19 men’s cricket squad in Australia, a major cricket-playing nation. The 18-year-old Sikh left-handed batter has scripted an inspirational story that would motivate several others like him.

For Singh, it was not an easy journey though but he made it possible with an iron determination and strong cricketing skills.

The story had a humble beginning in gully cricket and according to Singh, he got introduced to the world of cricket at a very young age with a wooden plank that he used as a bat and played with a tennis ball in place of a leather one, Australia’s SBS Punjabi reported.

“My parents started providing me with professional coaching after seeing my passion and dedication for the game. And after so many years, my hard work has finally paid off,” he was quoted as saying by SBS Punjabi.

Singh was introduced to professional cricket when he was eight. He started playing as a substitute player at the Revesby Workers Cricket Club, the report added. The club is located in New South Wales.

He had a successful stint and as he grew up, his game only became better and a number of clubs started approaching him.

“Impressed by my game, Neil D’Costa became my mentor and trained me to become a professional. Besides refining my game, I had to work hard to attain my current physical form. The opportunities that came my way have given me a lot of exposure and chance to learn from my peers and seniors,” he was quoted as saying by SBS Punjabi.

D’Costa is an Australian-born coach with Indian roots and has trained some of Australia’s top cricketers.

Singh also said that he had to work much harder than others because of his unique identity. According to him, if one looks different, then the person has to do something different and more to maintain the identity and place in the field, the report added.

He thanked his parents for his success saying they gave him unflinching support throughout his journey as a cricketer. He said they sacrificed time and money to ensure that his career got a shape.

Jagdip Singh Kahlon, general secretary of Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee, also congratulated Singh on Twitter over his feat.

“I extend my warmest congratulations to #HarjasSingh for becoming a member of #Australia’s Under-19 team, which is a remarkable feat. I’m excited to see him make significant strides in his cricketing journey in the future. ALL THE BEST HARJAS SINGH,” he wrote.

Australian high commissioner to India Barry O’Farrell also lauded Singh on Twitter saying, “India-born Harjas Singh turns his childhood dream into reality! Harjas, who started playing🏏at the age of seven & has been trained by 🇮🇳-origin coach Neil D’Costa, recently made it to 🇦🇺’s U19 🏏squad.”

Related Stories

Loading