Cheteshwar Pujara Conducts Special Masterclass for Young Cricketers from Farming Communities
- Bilkul Online
- Ahmedabad | 04 June 2026
In a major boost to grassroots cricket development, Spin & Swing Cricket Academy has entered into a strategic partnership with the Cheteshwar Arvindbhai Pujara Cricket Academy at Taraghadi village near Rajkot to provide structured cricket training and development opportunities to talented children from rural and farming communities.
The initiative is being supported by agri-tech company SML through its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme, while ASK Foundation24 will spearhead grassroots outreach and community engagement efforts across villages to identify and encourage promising young talent.
The collaboration brings together four organisations committed to creating meaningful opportunities for aspiring cricketers who often lack access to professional coaching, infrastructure, and mentorship.
Established by Indian cricket stalwart Cheteshwar Pujara and his father Arvindbhai Pujara, the Cheteshwar Arvindbhai Pujara Cricket Academy has been training talented and underprivileged youth free of cost for over a decade at its facility on the outskirts of Rajkot. Under the new partnership, Spin & Swing Cricket Academy will contribute its expertise in coaching, player development, and structured training programmes to further strengthen the academy’s mission.
To mark the launch of the collaboration, a special masterclass was conducted at the academy premises, where Pujara personally interacted with young cricketers from nearby villages. Sharing lessons from his own cricketing journey, he spoke about the importance of discipline, perseverance, consistency, and mental strength. He encouraged the budding players to dream big and train with the ambition of representing India at the highest level.
The Rajkot initiative follows similar grassroots cricket development programmes recently launched by Spin & Swing Cricket Academy in Pune and Mumbai. The academy now aims to expand the model to multiple locations across India in the coming years.
The programme focuses on identifying talented children from farming families and underserved rural communities and providing them with access to professional coaching, quality cricket equipment, mentorship, and modern training facilities. Through its CSR support, SML is helping deserving youngsters receive long-term cricket development opportunities that may otherwise remain beyond their reach.
ASK Foundation24 is playing a pivotal role in connecting with local communities, creating awareness, and ensuring that talented children receive the encouragement and exposure needed to pursue their sporting aspirations.
Speaking on the collaboration, Anand Yalvigi, Founder and CEO of Spin & Swing Cricket Academy, said, “Our vision is to make quality cricket training accessible to every talented child, regardless of background. We are delighted to partner with the Cheteshwar Arvindbhai Pujara Cricket Academy, which has already built a strong foundation for nurturing young cricketers. With the support of SML and ASK Foundation24, we aim to create a sustainable grassroots cricket ecosystem that generates real opportunities for rural talent.”
Bimal Shah, Managing Director of SML, said, “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 from farming and rural communities by providing access to professional coaching and mentorship. Following the successful launches in Pune and Mumbai, the Rajkot academy is another significant step towards this mission. With Cheteshwar Pujara’s guidance, we are confident that young players will be inspired to develop discipline, resilience, and excellence. We will continue exploring similar opportunities across the country.”
Avani Shantanu Agasti, Founder of ASK Foundation24, highlighted the transformative role of sports in youth development. “Sports can build confidence, character, and life skills at a young age. Through this initiative, we are committed to ensuring that deserving children from grassroots communities receive the opportunities and support needed to pursue their dreams,” she said.
Sharing his thoughts, Cheteshwar Pujara said, “Grassroots cricket development is critical for the future of Indian cricket. It is encouraging 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 youngsters to pursue the game with dedication.”
Located in a serene setting away from the bustle of the city, the academy offers modern cricketing infrastructure, including professionally maintained turf wickets, practice nets, bowling machines, specialised training equipment, and a high-quality outfield designed to support competitive cricket training.
The Rajkot partnership marks another milestone in Spin & Swing Cricket Academy’s vision of building a nationwide grassroots cricket network and creating pathways for talented youngsters from rural India to realise their cricketing dreams.