Mumbai has a rich cricketing history. It is the most dominant domestic team in the country. They have won 41 Ranji Trophy titles which remains an unparalleled record. The city boasts of developing many wonderful cricketers who have gone on to represent the country with distinction. From the likes of Vijay Merchant and Vijay Manjrekar to Sunil Gavaskar and Sachin Tendulkar, its legacy is historic. The current team boasts of active players like Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, Shardul Thakur, and Prithvi Shaw in its ranks. They are easily the best domestic team that is located in Maharashtra State. Let’s look at Top Cricket Academies In Mumbai.
Why is the need for a cricket academy?
The rich culture of Mumbai cricket is owing to a lot of different factors. Street cricket, gully cricket, maiden cricket are breeding grounds for young players. They hone their skills by playing in these games day in and day out. Cricket is a sport that is accessible to everyone. Hence we have such cricketing enthusiasm across the board. But even for raw talents to excel, they need a platform to hone their skills and become better. Therein arises a need for coaching. A cricket academy addresses not just the queries for budding cricketers but develops them holistically.
There have been so many famous tales of coaches taking players under their wings and transforming them completely. The mentors and coaches in the cricket academies play a very similar role. These coaches have an eye for natural talent and temperament. They look for adaptability as well. If a cricketer needs a fix then they must be eager to adapt and change accordingly. These structural changes happen at a cricket academy.
It is quite natural that a place like Mumbai will boast 1000 cricket academies. We list down the best few among them.
Top Cricket Academies In Mumbai
#5 MIG Cricket Club
MIG Cricket Club is one of the oldest cricketing academies in Mumbai. It was established in 1968. MIG CC has been affiliated with the MCA since 1974. They have a year-round cricket coaching camp (October-March) and a summer cricket coaching camp (April-May).
#4 Payyade Sports Club
This academy may not be as famous as others on the list. But people in the cricketing circuit do recognise its value. It is one of the more vintage academies that has been churning out cricketers. The coaching facility has a state-of-art infrastructure with highly qualified trainers available to facilitate any learning. Mr. Raghuvir Singh, BCCI level B qualified coach, and Mr. Suresh, a former Mumbai player headline this academy.
#3 Vengsarkar cricket academy
Dilip Vengsarkar is a bonafide cricketing legend. The former national selector is credited to have picked MS Dhoni, first as a player and then as a captain. His cricketing academy is one of the most reputable cricket coaching institutes in the country. The academy has a wonderful ground with a well-maintained pitch even comprising turf wickets. It is the only academy to boast of 2 locations in the city.
#2 Chandrakant Pandit Cricket Clinic
Chandrakant Pandit, a disciple of the late Ramakant Achrekar founded the academy in October 1999. Ramakant Achrekar who famously coached and mentored Sachin Tendulkar was also a guru to Chandrakant Pandit. Pandit represented India in 5 Tests and 36 ODIs. But he was popular for coaching the Mumbai Ranji team and turning them into an invincible bunch. His academy CPCC as its popularly called has a beautiful campus with a well-maintained pitch boasting world-class facilities.
#1 Shivaji Park Gymkhana
The Shivaji Park Gymkhana is arguably the best cricketing academy in the country. It is called the ‘Nursery of Cricket’. Two of India’s finest batsmen started their cricketing journey from here. They are none other than Sunil Gavaskar and Sachin Tendulkar. P. G. Marathe founded the ‘New Maharashtra Cricket Club’ in 1909. The academy has produced a record of 21 international players namely Pravin Amre, Sandeep Patil, Vinod Kambli, and many more. Called the ‘Mecca of Mumbai’ the SPG is one of the oldest and most reputed sports clubs in India.
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