From Kulcha stall to Team India: Jalandhar's Arjun Rajput earns India U-19 call-up for Sri Lanka tour
Jalandhar, June 12
A dream nurtured in the narrow lanes of Ram Nagar and backed by years of sacrifice has finally come true for young cricketer Arjun Rajput, who has been selected in the Indian Under-19 squad for next month's tour of Sri Lanka.
The left-handed batter and right-arm off-spinner will don the India jersey for the first time when the team departs for Sri Lanka on July 4, marking a major milestone in a journey defined by perseverance and hard work.
Arjun comes from a modest family background. His father, Hoti Ram, earns a living by making kulchas and working at a bakery, ensuring that his son could continue pursuing cricket despite financial constraints
Speaking after the announcement of the squad, Arjun expressed his pride at getting the opportunity to represent the country.
"I am very happy and proud to be at this level. I am very happy that we are playing our first match in Sri Lanka. I am very proud of it. We will represent our country, and we will try our best to win all the matches and perform well," he told reporters.
The youngster credited his family and mentors for helping him stay focused through difficult times.
"My father, mother and brother always supported me. Whenever I used to feel down, they backed me and motivated me. My coaches like Vikram Sidhu and Harbhajan Academy supported me a lot," Arjun said.
For Hoti Ram, the selection is the reward for years of belief in his son's talent.
"I have been making kulchas for many years. Arjun has been playing cricket since the age of five years. He is very talented and hardworking. I came to know about the selection in the morning, and it is a very good feeling," he said.
"His dream has been fulfilled, and it is a very special moment for us," he added.
Arjun began his cricketing journey at the Harbhajan Singh Cricket Academy, where he honed his skills during his formative years. Even after facing several challenges, he continued to progress under the guidance of coach Vikram Sidhu.
India will play three One-Day matches and two Multi-Day fixtures against Sri Lanka.
The white-ball leg of the tour kicks off on July 4 in Hambantota, which will host all three one-day matches. Following the limited-overs series, the team will transition to red-ball cricket for two multi-day matches. The first multi-day game is slated to be played in Galle from July 13 to 16, while the final fixture of the tour will take place in Colombo from July 20 to 23.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Super proud! But I hope the selection isn't just hype—let's see how he performs against Sri Lanka. Many U-19 stars vanish after initial success. Still, with the right guidance from Harbhajan Academy and coach Vikram Sidhu, he has a great foundation. Good luck to him! 💪
As an Indian cricket fan, stories like these always warm my heart. The determination of his father working day and night at a bakery to support his son's dream is just incredible. I hope Arjun makes his father proud and goes on to play for the senior team one day! 🇮🇳
Yeh hai asli Indian cricket ka soul – grassroots talent thriving despite financial hurdles. But let's also remember: we need better infrastructure for such boys. If a kulcha vendor's son can make it, imagine how many more are out there waiting for a proper platform. Good luck, Arjun! ⭐
Fantastic story! I'm an NRI living in Canada, but reading about Arjun's journey took me back to my childhood days in Punjab. The determination of his father and the support of the academy show how cricket truly unites India. I hope he gets a century on debut! 🏏🔥
Great to see a local boy from Jalandhar making it big. But my only concern: U-19 tours often become about playing too many matches. I hope the management paces it well—5 matches in a short tour (3 ODIs + 2 multi-day)
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