From Cricket Dreams to Tennis Triumphs: A Journey of Passion, Leadership, and Growth

Can you tell us about your early days in sports and how your journey has evolved over time?

It all began on a warm summer night in 2011 when I, like many others, was glued to the TV screen, watching as Dhoni’s iconic six won India the World Cup. That moment sparked my love for cricket, and I was determined to be a part of India’s “Elite 11.” But life had other plans. My younger sister, a tennis enthusiast, convinced me to give tennis a try, and while I initially resisted, I found something in the sport that drew me in more than cricket ever had. I eventually made the tough decision to leave cricket and fully focus on tennis.

From there, my journey took off. I trained in several centers in Chandigarh, worked my way up to being ranked #1 in the state, #19 in India, and #1200 in the world in the U-18 category. I represented India as a ballkid at the 2019 Australian Open and captained the U-17 tennis team at the SGFI Games. However, a severe ankle injury derailed my career, leading me to step away from pursuing tennis professionally. Still, my passion for the sport remained, and I continue to play at Ashoka University.

How has being part of Ashoka University’s sports community influenced your personal and athletic growth?

Ashoka has given me an incredible platform to push myself both athletically and personally. The combination of top-tier sporting facilities and excellent academic opportunities has made my experience here truly rewarding. Playing for the institution has helped me focus on the mental side of my game, an area I struggled with during my U-18 days.

At Ashoka, I’ve learned to manage pressure better, both on and off the court, becoming a more mature and composed player. My time here has also helped me develop essential life skills like resilience, communication, and teamwork, all of which I plan to bring into my role as a leader.

As a squad leader, how do you view your leadership role and what strategies do you use to guide your team?

Having been the Vice-Captain for the past couple of years, I’ve had the opportunity to learn from our previous captain, coaches, and teammates. Now, stepping into the captain’s role, I feel a mix of excitement and nerves. Leadership, for me, is about ensuring every player has the space to grow individually, which in turn benefits the team as a whole.

I look up to sports icons like M.S. Dhoni and Virat Kohli, who have been able to bring out the best in their teammates. My goal as captain is to create an environment where everyone feels comfortable enough to voice their concerns, and where we can all learn from each other and improve together.

How do you balance the academic demands at Ashoka with your responsibilities as an athlete and team leader?

Balancing tennis, academics, and other activities has been something I’ve grown accustomed to over the years. It all comes down to time management and prioritization. During tournaments, tennis and gym sessions take priority, but when exams roll around, you’ll find me spending long hours in the library. On regular days, I try to make every second count by staying disciplined and, most importantly, enjoying the process.

Whether it’s playing tennis, studying, or even learning guitar, I strive to do justice to my potential by giving my best in every activity I pursue.

What are your long-term goals for yourself and the tennis team at Ashoka?

The Men’s Tennis Team at Ashoka has been incredibly successful, and as captain, my goal is to continue that winning streak and take our team to even greater heights. We’ll be competing in several tournaments this year, and my focus is on key events like the North Zone Tennis Championship, Magnus (hosted by Jindal), and our very own Agneepath. Our goal is simple: to win.

Personally, I want to participate in as many tournaments as possible while working on my strength and agility. I’m looking forward to a successful season with the team and can’t wait to see what we accomplish together.

List of Achievements for Ashoka University Men’s Tennis Team:

BML Munjal University 2022 – Winners

LNMIIT, Jaipur 2023 – Winners

Agneepath 2023 – Winners

Magnus (O.P. Jindal University) 2023 – Winners

Bennett University 2023 – Winners

Shiv Nadar University 2023 – Winners

BITS Pilani 2023 – Winners

Bennett University 2024 – Third Place

Magnus (O.P. Jindal University) – Runners up

IIT Roorkee – Winners

Personal Awards:

MVP – BITS Pilani 2023

MVP – Shiv Nadar University 2023

MVP – IIT Roorkee 2024

Best Tennis Player 2023 – Ashoka Annual Awards

Best Tennis Player 2024 – Ashoka Annual Awards

Outstanding Athlete of the Year 2024 – Ashoka Annual Awards