Punjab: City spinner ready for Under-19 World Cup
Punjab: Promising young cricketer Anmoljit Singh from Shimlapuri in Ludhiana is aiming to make a mark in the Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup to be held in Zimbabwe in 2026. The 19-year-old spinner is currently undergoing intensive training at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) camp in Nadiad, Gujarat, which is being organised by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Son of a local businessman, Anmoljit shared his journey while speaking to The Tribune over phone from the camp. He started playing cricket at the age of seven, inspired and encouraged by his father, himself a former cricketer. “My father has been my biggest supporter. He introduced me to cricket and always inspired me to dream big,” Anmoljit said. Anmoljit, who studied till Class 8 at BCM School, Dugri, is now pursuing his education at GTB School, Shimlapuri.
He has already built a strong foundation in cricket after receiving training from the Ludhiana District Cricket Academy (LDCA). His early talent became evident when he won several awards in school and district-level tournaments. Anmoljit’s cricketing achievements include being part of the Punjab cricket team in the Under-16 category during the 2022-2023 season, where he played in the Vijay Merchant Trophy held in Hyderabad. “I became the highest wicket-taker in the tournament with 65 wickets and the BCCI felicitated me in a special ceremony,” he proudly recounts. His success continued when he joined the Punjab Under-19 team, played national-level matches across the country and took 26 wickets during the tournament. Following his strong performance, he was selected for the NCA camp in Rajkot in 2023, where he trained under international coaches.
His hard work paid off when he was selected for the Under-19 Indian cricket team and played against Australia in Chennai, where he was declared the Man of the Match. Currently training at the national camp in Gujarat, Anmoljit is gearing up for the inter-camp matches that begin after April 29. These matches will determine the final selection for the Indian team that will visit Zimbabwe in 2026. Anmoljit draws inspiration from former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh. “Harbhajan Singh is my idol. I once had the opportunity to talk to him and he shared some valuable bowling tips. He advised me to maintain a never-say-die attitude and since then I have stuck to it,” Anmoljit said with determination. He also credits the Grewal Sports Academy in Ludhiana for playing a key role in shaping his cricket career. “The academy has played a key role in my development and success,” he said.
