In terms of global popularity, cricket is second only to soccer with around 2.5 billion fans following the game. Originated in England during the 16th century, the sport soon caught the attention of the rest of the world – most notably the Indian subcontinent, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and the Caribbean island.
However, cricket never really spread its wings in Canada. The main reason behind that is it always faced tough competition with ice hockey and lacrosse, which are practically the national sports. Nonetheless, the Asian Diaspora and the West Indian immigrants have kept the game alive in the region.
Patiala Shahi Cricket Club, established by Jimmy Sharma, has also played a critical role in promoting the sport within the Canadian landscape.
Jimmy, who himself is a cricketer with all-round skills, drew inspiration from none other than the legendary Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala.
Widely regarded as the pioneer of Indian cricket, Maharaja reigned from 1900 to 1938. His passion for the sport and generous patronage significantly influenced its growth in India during the early 20th century.
In 1911, Maharaja Bhupinder Singh led the Indian cricket team on its tour to England. Between 1915 and 1937, he participated in 27 first-class cricket matches, showcasing his dedication to the sport.
Singh was a co-founder of the BCCI, the national sports administration body for cricket in India, and also donated the Ranji Trophy in honour of Kumar Shri Ranjitsinhji, Jam Sahib of Nawanagar.
While Maharaja’s vision laid the foundation for the growth of cricket in India, Jimmy Sharma is striving to make a similar impact in Canada through Patiala Shahi Cricket Club.
Jimmy captained the Patiala Shahi Panthers from 2017 to 2020, leading the team in various tournaments. Under his captaincy, the team displayed remarkable performance, earning recognition and respect in the North American cricket circuit.
After his tenure as captain, Sharma transitioned to the role of manager and club owner, continuing his vision of nurturing cricketing talent and expanding the club’s influence in North America. In this role, he guided the team to the final of the KT20 Canada Cup in 2024.
It is pertinent to mention here that several members of Team Canada are associated with the club, highlighting its role in contributing to the national team’s talent pool.
The likes of Kanwarpal Tathgur and Yuvraj Samra are currently representing Canada from the club, which has certainly succeeded in acting as a feeder to pick quality players. Â
Emerging star Sheel Patel, who was the most economical bowler in National T20 tournament, has the potential to play for Canada. Ali Nadeem, the leading run-getter in the same competition and the local Super9 league throughout 2024, is due to receive a callup anytime soon as well.
Many prominent Canada International players like Ravinderpal Singh, Rayyan Pathan, Nikhil Dutta, Harsh Thaker, Saad Bin Zafar, and Jatinder Matharu are part of the club. Kyle Hope from West Indies and Samit Gohil, one of the best Ranji Trophy performers, too have represented the club. Vishal Rupaal’s name also features among the key players of the club.
Nepal’s captain Rohit Paudel was also part of the club in 2024. Wisden Schools Cricketer of the Year 2023 Oliver Cox recently joined the club as well.
Furthermore, Patiala Shahi Cricket Club has revolutionized the digital branding scene of North American cricket, becoming one of the first clubs to embrace sports marketing. Through The Six Creations, media partners for Cricket Canada, the club is raising awareness of the local players and also boosting the sport’s visibility in the country.
Jimmy Sharma’s strategic vision, coupled with his innovative approach, has transformed the Patiala Shahi Cricket Club into a prominent cricketing institution that not only nurtures talent but also honors the legacy of Patiala’s rich cricketing heritage.
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