Breaking mould: Punjab’s cricketing future lies in smaller districts

With the elevation of Dilpreet ‘Ponty’ Bajwa, a Gurdaspur-born cricketer, as captain of Canada’s team for the forthcoming ICC T20 World Cup, the spotlight has once again shifted to Punjab’s neglected cricketing hinterland. The development underscores the urgent need for the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) to broaden its focus beyond a handful of traditional centres and tap the vast talent pool in smaller districts.

At present, the PCA largely treats Patiala, Ludhiana, Mohali, Jalandhar and Amritsar as its primary cricketing hubs. Districts such as Gurdaspur, Pathankot, Moga, Malerkotla, Tarn Taran, Kapurthala, Muktsar, Bathinda, Sangrur, Fazilka, Ropar, Barnala, Fatehgarh Sahib, Mansa, Nawanshahr and Hoshiarpur continue to be categorised as “minor”, despite consistently producing promising players.

Cricket experts maintain that these districts are rich in untapped talent. “It is only a matter of time before players from these areas break into the Ranji Trophy and other BCCI tournaments, including the IPL. I fail to understand why PCA selectors continue to discriminate between so-called major and minor districts. There is no dearth of quality players or competent coaches here,” said a former national cricketer.

Gurdaspur, in particular, has made steady progress. Youngsters such as Arjun Marshal have delivered impressive performances in domestic competitions, while the district has fared well in inter-district age-group tournaments. Most players practise at the Government College ground, where infrastructural support has played a key role.

Players and coaches alike credit college principal Ashwani Bhalla for taking a keen interest in sports development. “He ensures that the playing conditions and pitches are properly maintained. That support makes a big difference,” said coach Rakesh Marshal.

Last year, the PCA invited a group of Gurdaspur cricketers to train alongside the Australian team in Mohali. The exposure proved invaluable, offering the youngsters insights into professional training methods and international standards — experience that is expected to benefit them in the long run.

There is little doubt that Punjab’s smaller districts are increasingly challenging the traditional hierarchy. Their performances in select PCA tournaments indicate that they are punching above their weight and steadily narrowing the gap with established centres.

Moga stands out as a prime example, having produced India women’s captain Harmanpreet Kaur and IPL all-rounder Harpreet Brar. Their success across formats has made them national icons and a source of inspiration for aspiring cricketers from non-metro districts.

With access to quality grounds, equipment and fair selection opportunities, these so-called minor districts have the potential to reshape Punjab’s cricketing landscape. For them, the struggle may be harder — but the triumph, invariably, is sweeter.