Table of Contents
- Here are some highlights from the interview.
- Question: Who inspired you to choose cricket as a career?
- Question: Which format of cricket do you like the most, and what attracts you towards it?
- Question: How was your experience of playing cricket in Sri Lanka, and how was it different from other countries?
- Question: Recently you were honored during the BCCI Awards, tell us something about it?
- Question: In your opinion, who is the best captain of the Indian team, and why?
- Watch the full interview
The Uttar Pradesh T20 League, commonly known as the UP T20 League, is set to commence on August 25. This six-team tournament will take place in Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh, India’s most populous state. The league will showcase numerous young talents alongside some familiar faces who have represented India on the international stage. Today, we bring you the story of one of those emerging young players with the potential to become a prominent figure in cricket.
The player in focus is Parth Palawat, a rising star who was honored by India’s renowned wicketkeeper-batter at a BCCI-organized award ceremony. Hailing from Mathura, Parth is now gearing up to make his mark in the UP T20 League. Representing the Lucknow Falcons in the tournament, Parth shared insights into his cricketing journey in an exclusive conversation with us.
Here are some highlights from the interview.
Question: Who inspired you to choose cricket as a career?
Parth: When I was in sixth grade, I didn’t know much about cricket; I played casually, like any other child. My father used to watch cricket on TV, and whenever Sachin Sir played, it felt like the entire nation came to a standstill. That’s when I got inspired to try and become like Sachin, to play like him. Gradually, my cricketing journey began. I joined an academy, learned the game, and participated in trials for Uttar Pradesh. I was fortunate enough to represent UP, playing in the Under-14 and Under-16 levels. There was a setback when I wasn’t selected for the Under-19 team, which was a tough time, but I kept working hard because of my passion for cricket.
Question: Which format of cricket do you like the most, and what attracts you towards it?
Parth: Personally, I consider Test cricket to be the most challenging format as it truly tests a player’s patience, character, and skills. However, when it comes to fan preference, T20 cricket is more popular. People enjoy the shorter formats because the match results are determined within three to four hours. T20 cricket is extremely fast-paced, demanding high fitness levels and flexibility. Players need to continually adapt their techniques and shots. Regardless of the format, as cricketers, we must always give our utmost effort.
Question: How was your experience of playing cricket in Sri Lanka, and how was it different from other countries?
Parth: As a batter, playing cricket in Sri Lanka presents significant challenges. Recently, India lost the ODI series there due to the difficult batting conditions. The pitches in Sri Lanka are often spin-friendly, and even in Test and first-class cricket, matches can conclude within two days. It’s a tough environment, but it offers valuable learning experiences.
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Question: Recently you were honored during the BCCI Awards, tell us something about it?
Parth: In 2024, I was honored to receive an award from KL Rahul at the BCCI Naman Awards. During the 2019-20 season, I played as a guest player for Sikkim and scored approximately 1200 runs in the nine matches I participated in. I am deeply thankful to everyone, especially my parents and God. I feel fortunate that my performance in the tournament was strong enough to earn this recognition.
Question: In your opinion, who is the best captain of the Indian team, and why?
Parth: I have great admiration for Sourav Ganguly, as his leadership marked a turning point for Indian cricket, with the team starting to win matches abroad. He built a strong Indian squad and played a key role in integrating young talents, including MS Dhoni, who continued Ganguly’s legacy and led India to three ICC trophies. Following that, Virat Kohli elevated India to the number one position in Test cricket, and Rohit Sharma guided the team to a T20 World Cup victory. Ganguly’s contributions are indeed significant, but it’s also important to recognize Kapil Dev, the 1983 World Cup-winning captain, as the pioneering force who helped cricket grow in India. All of these figures are legendary in their own right, making it difficult to single out just one.
