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Former cricketer and chief selector of the Indian team, Chetan Sharma’s newly established cricket centre in Noida is quite large, possibly designed to cater to a big crowd and to provide ample space for training and activities. The massiveness of the venue humorously gave birth to a new term called “chilled pakoras” on Saturday late afternoon because of the sheer size of the space that led to food losing its temperature in transit. Pakoras, which are best enjoyed hot and crispy, lose their charm when they cool down, and in a large facility like this, the time it takes for the food to travel from the kitchen to the guests can cause it to lose its appeal. But the appeal of this space was so good that the so called chilled pakoras took the back-seat.
This cricket centre, while not as massive as the National Cricket Academy (NCA) near Bangalore, is certainly a significant addition to the cricketing landscape, particularly for aspiring cricketers in and around Noida. Given Sharma’s background as a former national chief selector, the venue undoubtedly carries the credibility and vision to provide a nurturing environment for the talented players. With the lack of high-quality cricket facilities in Noida and the broader northern region, this academy becomes a crucial resource for local players who might otherwise have to travel far to access world-class coaching, infrastructure, and training.
The facility could help bridge this gap, offering aspiring cricketers in the area a chance to hone their skills without the added logistical and financial burden of travelling to more established cricket hubs. The academy’s potential to become a “one-stop shop for cricket” suggests that it’s not just focused on the basic training and coaching aspects, but also aims to provide comprehensive support—possibly offering modern fitness centres, video analysis tools, nutrition guidance, and mental conditioning, which are essential components in today’s cricketing world.
Given Sharma’s experience, he surely understands the key aspects of player development and what is needed to prepare young cricketers for the rigours of national and international cricket. As the academy evolves, it could become an important part of the cricketing ecosystem, helping develop future stars and contributing to the growth of the sport in the region. For aspiring cricketers in Noida, it’s certainly a much-needed boon.
In other words, the opening of Sharma’s cricket centre was quite the grand affair, with none other than Kapil Dev, the legendary 1983 World Cup-winning captain, gracing the occasion. The energy at the venue has been electric, with drums, firecrackers, and plenty of celebration to mark the momentous occasion. It’s not every day that a facility like this opens, and having Kapil Dev, a former teammate of Sharma, adds a personal and historical touch to the event.
The friendly cricket match between the corporate team and journalists, while likely meant to add a bit of fun and camaraderie to the day, turned out to be a mismatch. The well-trained corporate team easily outclassed the journalists, which made the match more of a spectacle than a competitive contest. This might have been a lighthearted part of the event, but a closer, more evenly matched game would have added the perfect touch of competitiveness and excitement to an otherwise festive occasion.
However, despite the mismatch on the field, the event seems to have delivered in terms of ambience and overall experience. The venue “arriving with a bang” signals that this new cricket centre has already made an impact, both in terms of its facilities and its connection to the cricketing community. Most importantly, the opening day, filled with celebration and a splash of cricketing fun, has surely set the stage for many more successful events to come.
