India is a cricket-obsessed nation, but behind the stadium lights and international fame lie humble beginnings — often in small, lesser-known cricket academies tucked away in cities and villages. These academies, despite limited resources, have produced some of the finest cricketing legends of our country.
Here’s a look at Indian cricketers who rose from small academies, proving that talent, when combined with grit and the right guidance, can shine through anything.
1. MS Dhoni – Commando Cricket Club, Ranchi
Academy: Commando Cricket Club (Jharkhand)
Background: Dhoni started his cricket journey under coach Keshav Ranjan Banerjee in Ranchi — a city that wasn’t even on the cricketing map back then.
Breakthrough: Despite playing tennis-ball cricket early on, his wicketkeeping and batting caught the eye of selectors at a local level.
🗣 From railway ticket collector to World Cup-winning captain — Dhoni’s journey redefined Indian cricket.
2. Mohammed Shami – Moradabad Cricket Club
Academy: Local coaching by Badruddin Siddique in Sahaspur (Uttar Pradesh)
Background: Shami didn’t have access to big academies. His coach helped him travel long distances for matches and trials.
Breakthrough: Selected for Bengal Ranji team and eventually the national team due to raw pace and consistency.
🎯 Shami’s rise is proof that discipline and a strong mentor can shape elite-level bowlers.
3. T. Natarajan – Tennis Ball Cricket in Chinnappampatti (Tamil Nadu)
Academy: No formal academy initially — learned from local matches and street-level cricket
Background: Came from a village where cricket meant tennis-ball games. Overcame financial hurdles to join a club in Chennai later.
Breakthrough: Spotted during TNPL; made it to IPL and Indian team.
💡 Nicknamed "Yorker King" — Natarajan proved that even zero-academy backgrounds can break into Team India.
4. Ravindra Jadeja – Cricket Bungalows Club, Jamnagar
Academy: Small club in Gujarat, trained under Mahendrasinh Chauhan
Background: Came from a modest family. Lost his mother at a young age and faced emotional setbacks.
Breakthrough: Impressive all-round performance in domestic cricket led to India U-19 and eventually national call-up.
🏏 Jadeja’s journey is the perfect example of resilience and multi-skill evolution.
5. Umesh Yadav – Khaparkheda (Nagpur)
Academy: No major academy — trained locally and played tennis-ball cricket
Background: Son of a coal miner, couldn’t afford private training. Joined a local gym and worked on fitness himself.
Breakthrough: His speed attracted attention during club matches in Vidarbha.
🚀 From a fast bowler with no formal training to India's spearhead in Tests.
6. Rishabh Pant – Sonnet Cricket Club, Delhi
Academy: Sonnet Club under Tarak Sinha
Background: Although Sonnet was a reputed name, it wasn't a state-of-the-art facility. Pant shifted from Uttarakhand to Delhi with big dreams.
Breakthrough: U-19 World Cup performances followed by IPL heroics.
🔥 Pant’s daring batting style was shaped in a small ground but polished on the big stage.
7. Tushar Deshpande – Shivaji Park Gymkhana, Mumbai
Academy: Shivaji Park Gymkhana (non-mainstream when he joined)
Background: Trained in an academy without lavish facilities but focused on discipline and basics.
Breakthrough: Stellar performances in Mumbai’s club circuit, then in IPL.
Also Read: How to Start a Professional Cricket Career in India – Step-by-Step Guide
What We Learn from These Journeys
Want to Start Your Own Journey?
Platforms like careerincricket.com are building a nationwide directory of cricket academies — including small, local centers producing tomorrow’s stars. Explore, compare, and find the right academy near you based on:
Facilities
Coaching staff
Reviews by players
Scholarships & trial info
Mini-website & contact details
⚡ Let your cricket dream begin — no matter how small the start.
Also Read: Which is the Best Cricket Academy in India?
