Harmeet Singhthe former India U19 World Cup hero, he has made a wonderful way in cricket, which now represents USA on the international stage. Born and brought up in Mumbai, Harmeet's journey started with an interest in football, later he switched to cricket when a summer camp revealed his talent. His early days were marked by performances in school cricket alongside stars like Rohit Sharma, and guidance from legendary coach Padmakar Shivalkar. Harmeet fondly remembers his childhood years as the foundation of his cricketing dreams.
In an exclusive interview with Cricket Times, Harmeet revealed how he faced many challenges in the USA, from adapting to the changing ways of cricket to balancing family life within a busy schedule. However, his determination paid off, as evidenced by his team's stunning victory Pakistan in 2024 T20 World Cup. Considering his IPL is Rajasthan Royals and keeping in touch with his U19 teammates, Harmeet continues to inspire courage and a vision for the growth of USA cricket.
Here are some highlights from the interview:
Q: How did your cricket journey begin?
Harmeet: Like any other child in India. I used to play football in my school, I was in St Joseph's Orlem, Malad and then I grew up till grade 5 and played football but then I played cricket in my house and dormitories with my friends and all that so there was a summer camp. which my father put me near our house and I went there. I love the game and when you play with real cricket ball it is different and the coaches also said that you have talent so continue the game then without knowing to think twice I started playing cricket and changed my school to Swami. Vivekananda, Borivali where Rohit (Rohit Sharma) also studied and cricket was their main sport and we went on to break Harris Shield records and that's where Dilip Sardesai sir saw me and at the Bombay Jimkhana, that's how I got started.
Q: Who were your idols growing up?
Harmeet: First he was my teacher Padmakar Shivalkar sir and me how he picked 600 first class wickets and couldn't make his international debut that speaks volumes about his class and his perseverance that he never gave up and pursued his career so this is a great example and I used it too. to see more Yuvraj Singh, Sourav Ganguly Growing up because you know left-handed so, if on screen I like to watch Yuvraj and Sourav.
Q: What challenges did you face after moving to the USA?
Harmeet: In the USA it was not easy because when I arrived here there was nothing like what we see here Major League, Minor League the domestic setup USA Cricket is doing well and you know the contracts and all that there was no so and also the infrastructure, the stadium in Dallas which was not there but we were told that all this will come in 3 years -4 every 2, 3, 4 years again and again I bet and when I went there during COVID there was no first class. weather in India that year 2020 so I was like I'm not going to do anything as soon as I go there and you know look at whatever is there and then uh I like Seattle so uh I signed a contract there they did my Visa and everything and then I moved there with my family.
A lot of difficulties, I had my children here so it was not easy for the wife and you know to take care because I was always traveling and playing coaching and working so often they chose not to work because the children were small and all that. and then now we moved to Houston so I don't travel much when I'm at home and now I'm playing International Cricket franchise a lot so it's hard for the family. This is the life I always wanted as a cricketer so there are no more worries but you know you have to be with yourself every stage you have in life you will have a little bit of trouble but you have to embrace it and find a solution. that.
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Q: How did you feel defeating Pakistan in the T20 World Cup 2024?
Harmeet: I think from the time we won the game not only the game but we continued to give very difficult games in India and South Africa so we moved a lot of pieces there in the world cup with a lot of people. we were surprised to see the talent we have. But if you see after the World Cup uh there's a lot of our USA players who have been starting to get a lot of attention that's what I see you know the franchise Cricket that does and rub shoulders is very good. inside you is around and you know then you make a name for yourself and it only helps you to succeed.
Also as the country of Afghanistan has grown from strength to strength and their boys are now trusted as one of the most athletic players so wherever you go if it's an Afghani player they will choose him immediately so I think that's the name we want to get. and we're heading there we're like there's a few guys who are getting regular opportunities there's a few guys who are leaving in uh Franchise Cricket so I think it's only going to grow from here and you know how it goes. it's changing uh it's very interesting and you know now we're like the right Stadium or two right stadiums but in the coming years if we have the best equipment you know the National Center like Australia or any test playing Nation. uh training fast bowlers is everything so I think why we won't have anything there.
Q: Do you still keep in touch with your U19 teammates?
Harmeet: Yes, further and further we speak Vihari (Hanuman Vihari) texted in the middle he wanted me to help one of the Hyderabad players to go to the US and therefore he would be good and Sandeep (Sandeep Sharma) here and there Kamal Paasi it is a good partner for the World Cup and then. And even Mandeep Singh and my best friend I also played in the 2010 World Cup so yeah Sanju (Sanju Samson) I met them in the World Cup, Kuldeep (Kuldeep Yadav) I also played with a lot of cricket, Chahal (Yuzvendra Chahal) and all these guys so Axar (Axar Patel) was in the Indian under 19 team when we went to the Asia cup I think one of the trips I thought that yes at that time we were all on the same level playing together and now I am happy that all three of them are playing in India that is the best.
Q: You were part of the Rajasthan Royals team in the IPL. Tell us about that event?
Harmeet: it was one of the best and it was a bit scary afterwards when all the preparation stuff was done but the best because I shared a dressing room with them. Rahul Dravid, Shane Watson and Ajinkya Rahane and all the cricketers in the world. Brad Hodge was there, one of the best cricketers or the best player of the T20 team so everything I took from that, I tried to use in my career. I wish I had more chances in IPL but I only got one game I can't say I failed there but if there are enough chances and I failed it would be good but I just wish there were more chances with white ball cricket. India.