Quick Summary
- To become a cricketer you must be 15 years old, clear fitness test and have basic cricket knowledge.
- To become a cricketer join a cricket academy, participate in tournaments and excel in state and national level competitions.
- The average salary for a professional cricketer is 21 LPA in India.
Table of Contents
In India, cricket is more than just a game; it’s like a religion. But is cricket a good career? Every Indian kid playing gully cricket dreams of being the next Virat Kohli or Rohit Sharma. However, because the sport is so popular, each of us think how to become a cricketer, but we know that becoming a professional cricketer in India is tough.
Many schools let students play cricket with other schools or at the state level. But few schools encourage students to pursue cricket as a career after high school, even if they are very talented. Most Indian parents also don’t want their children to focus on cricket because they think it’s a waste of time. However, if you’re passionate about playing cricket professionally, you can succeed with grit and determination.
In this blog, we’ve provided a step-by-step guide to help you wear the blue jersey and learn how to become a cricketer in India.
What Does It Take to Become a Cricketer?
Becoming a cricketer requires more than just talent. It takes dedication, hard work, and a strong passion for the game. Here are some key qualities you’ll need:
- Physical fitness
- Mental toughness
- Good hand-eye coordination
- Ability to work in a team
- Discipline and commitment
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Become a Cricketer in India
Here is a step by step guide for you on how to become a cricketer:
1. Start Early
The journey to become a cricketer often begins at a young age. Many successful cricketers started playing as children like Sachin Tendulkar or Virat Kohli. If you’re a student interested in cricket, now is the perfect time to start!
2. Learn the Basics
To become a cricketer, you need to understand the game inside out. Here’s what you should focus on:
- Rules of cricket
- Different formats (Test, ODI, T20)
- Basic techniques for batting, bowling, and fielding
3. Practice Regularly
Malcolm Gladwell says you can become an expert by practicing anything for more than 10,000 hours. If you want a career in cricket, you need to master the game. As a batter, you need to face the bowling machine for hours. As a bowler, you need to keep practicing your bowling. You will only get better if you put in the effort on the practice field.
Don’t miss any chance to practice, but make sure it’s fun and enjoyable. If you don’t enjoy the game, you won’t be able to focus and improve. Don’t let practice feel like a chore!
4. Join a Cricket Club or Academy
Joining a cricket club or academy is an important step to become a cricketer. Here’s why:
- Professional coaching
- Access to better facilities
- Opportunity to play matches
- Chance to network with other aspiring cricketers
5. Develop Your Skills
To become a successful cricketer, you need to constantly improve your skills. Focus on:
- Batting techniques
- Bowling variations
- Fielding drills
- Physical fitness
6. Play in School and Local Tournaments
Participating in tournaments is crucial to gain experience and exposure. Look for opportunities to play in:
- School competitions
- Local club matches
- District-level tournaments
7. Focus on Education
While working to become a cricketer, don’t neglect your studies. A good education is important for:
- Developing critical thinking skills
- Having a backup plan
- Understanding the business side of cricket
8. Watch and Learn from Professional Cricketers
One of the best ways to improve and become a cricketer is to study the professionals. Pay attention to:
- Their techniques
- How they handle pressure
- Their fitness routines
- Their mental approach to the game
9. Work on Your Mental Strength
Cricket is as much a mental game as it is physical. To become a cricketer, you need to:
- Develop concentration skills
- Learn to handle pressure
- Build confidence
- Stay motivated during tough times
10. Seek Guidance from Experienced Players and Coaches
Don’t hesitate to ask for help on your journey to become a cricketer. Experienced players and coaches can provide:
- Valuable advice
- Feedback on your performance
- Tips to improve your game
How to Become a Professional Cricketer
Once you’ve mastered the basics, here are the steps on how to become a professional cricketer:
- Excel in School and Club Cricket: Perform consistently well in your school and local matches.
- Get Selected for District and State Teams: Impress selectors with your performances to move up the ranks.
- Aim for National-Level Tournaments: Participate in tournaments like the Ranji Trophy or Vijay Hazare Trophy.
- Catch the Eye of IPL Scouts: Performing well in domestic cricket can lead to opportunities in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
- Aim for the National Team: Consistent performances at all levels can lead to selection for the national team.
👉 Also Read: National game of India – Cricket, Hockey or Kabaddi?
Skills Required to Become a Cricketer
The first and foremost thing that comes to how to become cricketer is your skills. The candidate must choose to be a batter, bowler, or wicketkeeper. Based on your choice, the skills are decided.
1. Technical Skills
- A batter needs to work on different batting techniques. They need to determine the length of the ball and should have great reflexes. They must work on good hand-eye coordination to study the ball and flexibility.
- A bowler needs to work on different bowling styles. If the bowler wants to be a spinner, they must practice on different spins, like leg and off spin.
- If a bowler wants to be a pacer, they need to practice on in-swing, out-swing, and yorkers. The bowler should concentrate on the line and length of the bowl.
- A keeper needs to work on managing behind the stumps. They should have high reflexes for stumping and catching the balls.
2. Physical Skills
- If you are looking at how to become a cricketer, having good physical skills is a crucial part of it.
- They should have excellent cardiovascular fitness and the best accuracy across short distances.
- They should have an excellent core body and upper body strength. They should have proper weight to endure the physical strain of the game.
3. Mental Skills
- The player should have high concentration skills. They should be able to handle pressure in crunch situations.
4. Communication Skills
- Communication skills are important when you are playing with a team. You must coordinate with the players to win the match against the opponent.
- The players should have good communication skills to help them understand other players on the team.
How to Become a Woman Cricketer in India
Women’s Cricket is also a very important for those girls who want to know how to become a cricketer in India. It becomes popular and people start noticing the caliber of young girls playing cricket. So let’s dive into how to become a cricketer girl:
1. Women’s Cricket in India
The Indian Women’s Cricket Team debuted in 1976, playing their first test against West Indies. They made their ODI debut in 1978 and T20I debut in 2006 against England. The current captain of the Indian Women’s cricket team is Harmanpreet Kaur.
2. Opportunities for Women in Cricket
- With the rise of several international leagues worldwide, like WBBL, The Hundred, and WPL, women’s cricket is getting a lot of attention.
- Young girls all over can now dream of representing India by starting their careers in domestic leagues and playing for different international companies.
3. Challenges Faced by Women in Cricket
- Apart from global leagues, international women’s cricket is limited. Few countries play the maximum amount of cricket.
- With a huge talent pool, India needs to organize more international tournaments so that our Indian women players can get more exposure.
4. Steps to Becoming a Professional Female Cricketer in India
- Join a professional cricket academy.
- Work on your fitness.
- Participate in domestic and state-level tournaments.
- Play in international professional leagues and WPL.
Renowned Cricket Academies in India
After knowing how to become a cricketer, let’s find out the best cricket academies in India:
| Academy Name | Founded By | Location | Website (if available) |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Cricket Academy (NCA) | BCCI | Bengaluru, Karnataka | (No Official Website) |
| Karnataka Institute of Cricket (KIOC) | N/A | Bengaluru, Karnataka | kioc.net |
| MRF Cricket Academy | MRF Limited | Chennai, Tamil Nadu | mrftyres.com |
| Sachin Tendulkar Cricket Academy (STCA) | Sachin Tendulkar | Mumbai, Maharashtra | facebook.com/mcasak |
| Sehwag Cricket Academy (SCA) | Virender Sehwag | Multiple Locations | sehwagacademy.com |
| Virat Kohli Cricket Academy | Virat Kohli | Multiple Locations | (No Official Website) |
| Yadavindra Cricket Academy (YCA) | Yograj Singh | Chandigarh | (No Official Website) |
| Lele Cricket Academy | Subhash Lele | Pune, Maharashtra | (No Official Website) |
| Sonnet Cricket Club | N/A | Mumbai, Maharashtra | (No Official Website) |
| Jaipuria Cricket Academy | Shamsher Singh | Jaipur, Rajasthan | jaipuriacricketacademy.com |
👉 Click here to check out the: List of Top 10 Cricket Academy in India.
👉 Click here to check out the: Biggest Cricket Stadium in World: All You Need to Know
Career Opportunities in Cricket
Becoming a cricketer opens up various career opportunities:
- Professional player
- Coach
- Commentator
- Cricket analyst
- Umpire
- Sports journalist
Salary of a Cricketer in India (2024)
After looking at how to become a cricketer, let’s look at the Indian cricket team’s salary in 2024:
1. Domestic Cricketer’s Salary
Here is the India’s domestic cricketer salary:
| Category | Salary (Per Match) |
|---|---|
| U-19 Players | Rs 20,000 |
| U-23 Players | Rs 25,000 |
| U-16 Players | Rs 7,000 |
| Senior Players (Ranji/Duleep Trophy) | Rs 60,000 |
| Senior Women’s Players | Rs 20,000 |
2. International Cricketer’s Salary
Here is the India national cricket team cricketer salary:
| Category | Details | Salary (Per Annum) |
|---|---|---|
| Men’s Cricket Team | Grade A+ | Rs 7 crores |
| Grade A | Rs 5 crores | |
| Grade B | Rs 3 crores | |
| Grade C | Rs 1 crores | |
| Women’s Cricket Team | Grade A | Rs 50 lakhs |
| Grade B | Rs 30 lakhs | |
| Grade C | Rs 10 lakhs |
Challenges in Becoming a Cricketer
The path to become a cricketer isn’t always smooth. Here are some challenges you might face:
- Intense competition
- Balancing cricket and studies
- Physical and mental stress
- Financial constraints
- Dealing with failures and setbacks
Remember, every successful cricketer has faced these challenges. Your determination on how to become a cricketer will help you overcome them.
Tips to Become a Successful Cricketer
Here are some crucial tips on how to become a cricketer:
- Stay dedicated and passionate about the game
- Maintain a balanced diet and fitness routine
- Be open to learning and taking feedback
- Develop good sportsmanship
- Stay humble and grounded
- Never give up on your dream to become a cricketer
Conclusion
I hope now you get the answer to the question “How to Become a Cricketer?” Becoming a cricketer is a challenging but rewarding journey. It requires dedication, hard work, and a genuine love for the game. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can set yourself on the path to cricket success. Every great cricketer started exactly where you are now. With persistence and the right approach, you too can achieve your dream of becoming a cricketer.
Remember, the journey to become a cricketer is unique for everyone. Stay focused, work hard, and never lose sight of your goal. With determination and the right guidance, you can turn your dream of becoming a cricketer into reality!
So, are you ready to pad up and step onto the pitch? Your cricket journey starts now!
👉 Evaluate numerous career choices to choose the right career path for yourself. Dive in to our Guide on Career Advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I join a cricket academy in India?
Please choose the right Academy and contact them. There would be certain conditions. Once you fulfill them and pay the fees, you can join the Academy.
How to start a career in cricket?
To start a career in cricket:
1) You should meet the age requirement.
2) Pass the physical fitness tests.
3) Have basic cricket knowledge.
4) Have technical skills and ability to adapt fast.
5) Should be dedicated towards one goal i.e. to play for Indian Cricket Team.
Is 17 too late to start cricket?
No its not too late to start cricket at age 17. One example is Barinder Sran. He is an Indian international cricketer and is a left-arm medium-fast bowler who plays for Chandigarh in domestic cricket and Mumbai Indians in the IPL. He started playing cricket at the age of 17.
Can I become cricketer after 12th?
Yes, you can become a cricketer after 12th. Just be dedicated towards sports and be ready to give your 100% to the game. You can achieve great heights in the field.
How can women become professional cricketers in India?
They can start their career by joining a cricket academy and participating in domestic and international leagues to sharpen their skill and get noticed.
Can anyone become a cricketer?
With talent, hard work, and determination, many people can become cricketers. Success also depends on training, opportunities, and sometimes luck.
What is the salary of a cricketer?
Domestic: Earn a daily match fee based on experience in tournaments like Ranji Trophy (₹40,000 – ₹60,000 per day).
International: Receive an annual BCCI contract (₹1 Crore – ₹7 Crore) based on grade (A+ to C) plus match fees.
How much money needed to become a cricketer?
The cost to become a cricketer varies. Academies range from free to ₹1 lakh annually, and basic equipment costs ₹10,000-₹15,000. Focus on skills first, using scholarships or used equipment if needed. Talent and hard work are key!
How to become a cricketer without academy?
No academy? Here’s the fast track:
1. Practice daily: improvise with a wall or homemade bowling machine.
2. Learn from the pros: watch tutorials and analyze techniques.
3. Find matches: join local clubs, street cricket, or tournaments.
4. Improve yourself: film yourself, analyze weaknesses, and seek guidance.
5. Get noticed: network, attend events, and showcase your talent.
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