Grassroots Cricket Development Initiative Launched Near Rajkot
Pujara Academy Partnership Aims to Open Cricket Pathways for Rural Gujarat Children
A new partnership involving former India Test cricketer Cheteshwar Pujara’s cricket academy, Spin & Swing Cricket Academy, agri-tech company SML and ASK Foundation24 aims to increase access to professional cricket training for children from rural and farming communities in Gujarat.
The collaboration centres on the Cheteshwar Arvindbhai Pujara Cricket Academy at Taraghadi village near Rajkot, where young cricketers from underserved backgrounds will receive structured coaching, mentorship and access to cricket facilities. The initiative was formally launched with a special coaching session led by Pujara, who interacted with aspiring players from nearby villages and shared lessons from his own cricketing journey.
The programme reflects a growing effort within Indian sport to identify and nurture talent beyond major cities, where access to coaching, equipment and sporting infrastructure is often limited.
India’s cricket talent pipeline has traditionally benefited from strong urban cricket networks in cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru and Chennai. However, several prominent Indian cricketers, including Pujara, have emerged from smaller centres, prompting increased interest in grassroots development programmes across rural regions.
The Cheteshwar Arvindbhai Pujara Cricket Academy has been operating for more than a decade on the outskirts of Rajkot. The academy was established by Cheteshwar Pujara and his father, former first-class cricketer Arvind Pujara, with the aim of providing cricket training to talented youngsters regardless of their financial background.
The academy’s origins date back to a long-standing vision shared by the Pujara family. Reports over the years have noted that the facility was developed to provide opportunities for young cricketers who may not have access to professional coaching or quality practice facilities. The project has often been cited as an example of a player investing in grassroots sport development within his home region.
Located in a relatively quiet setting away from the city, the academy offers cricket infrastructure that includes turf wickets, practice nets, bowling machines and specialised training equipment. The environment is intended to replicate professional training conditions while remaining accessible to promising young players.
Under the new partnership, Spin & Swing Cricket Academy will contribute coaching expertise, player development programmes and structured training systems. The academy has recently launched similar grassroots initiatives in Pune and Mumbai and plans to expand its network to additional locations across India.
The initiative is being supported financially through the corporate social responsibility programme of SML, while ASK Foundation24 will focus on identifying talent within farming communities and encouraging participation among children who show sporting potential.
During the launch event at Taraghadi, Pujara conducted a masterclass for children from nearby villages. He discussed the importance of discipline, consistency and mental strength, qualities that became central to his own career as one of India’s most recognised Test batters.
Pujara, who represented India in more than 100 Test matches, built a reputation for patience and resilience at the crease. He played a significant role in several overseas Test victories and was widely regarded as one of the country’s most dependable red-ball cricketers. His career has often been cited as an example of how determination and strong fundamentals can help players succeed at the highest level.
Addressing the young cricketers, Pujara encouraged them to set ambitious goals and work towards representing India in the future.
Speaking about the broader initiative, Anand Yalvigi, Founder and CEO of Spin & Swing Cricket Academy, said, “This partnership reflects our vision of making quality cricket training accessible to talented children irrespective of their background. We are delighted to collaborate with the Cheteshwar Arvindbhai Pujara Cricket Academy, which already has a strong foundation and commitment towards nurturing young cricketers. With the support of SML and ASK Foundation24, we aim to build a sustainable grassroots cricket ecosystem that creates genuine opportunities for rural talent.”
The involvement of corporate and non-profit organisations reflects a wider trend in Indian sport, where public, private and community groups increasingly work together to support youth development programmes.
Bimal Shah, Managing Director of SML, said the company viewed the programme as an opportunity to address the gap between talent and access to training.
“At SML, we believe that talent exists in every corner of the country, but opportunities often do not. Through our CSR initiative, we are proud to support a programme that empowers children of farmers and rural communities by giving them access to professional cricket training and mentorship. After the successful launches of Pune & Mumbai Cricket Academy, Rajkot Cricket Academy is yet another mission to the cause. With Cheteshwar Pujara at the helm, we are confident his guidance will inspire discipline, resilience, and excellence — nurturing young talent into future champions. We would continue to scout for more opportunities across the nation,” Shah said.
ASK Foundation24 will play a key role in community outreach. Grassroots participation remains one of the biggest challenges in rural sport development, particularly in villages where families may not have the financial means to support specialised training.
Founder Avani Shantanu Agasti said the organisation would work directly with villages and farming communities to identify children who could benefit from the programme.
“Sports have the power to transform lives and build confidence among children at a very young age. Through this initiative, we are committed to engaging with farming communities at the grassroots level and ensuring deserving children receive the opportunity, encouragement, and exposure needed to pursue their dreams,” she said.
Experts in sports development have frequently pointed out that early identification and sustained support are crucial for nurturing future athletes. While India has produced world-class cricketers from smaller towns in recent decades, access to quality coaching remains uneven across many rural areas.
The Rajkot initiative seeks to address some of these challenges by combining coaching, mentorship, equipment access and infrastructure support under a single programme. Organisers say the focus will be on identifying promising children from farming families and underserved communities who may otherwise struggle to access professional training environments.
Sharing his views on the partnership, Pujara said, “Grassroots cricket development is extremely important for the future of Indian cricket. I am happy to see organisations coming together with a common purpose of supporting talented young players from rural backgrounds. Cricket teaches discipline, resilience, and character, and I hope this initiative inspires many young cricketers to pursue the sport with dedication.”
The programme arrives at a time when cricket continues to expand its reach beyond traditional centres of excellence. State associations, private academies and former international players have increasingly invested in talent development projects aimed at widening the sport’s talent pool.
For the children who attended the launch session in Taraghadi, the opportunity to learn directly from one of India’s most accomplished Test cricketers provided a rare glimpse into the standards required to succeed at the highest level.
Organisers say the Rajkot programme is expected to become part of a wider network of grassroots cricket initiatives planned by Spin & Swing Cricket Academy in different parts of the country. If successful, the model could offer a pathway for more rural youngsters to receive professional training while remaining connected to their local communities.
As Indian cricket continues to search for talent beyond established centres, initiatives such as the one launched in Taraghadi highlight the growing focus on ensuring that geography and financial circumstances do not prevent promising young players from pursuing the sport.