A 16-year-old batsman of Indian origin, Jason Sangha became the youngest player to ever be contracted by the Australia's most decorated cricket team, New South Wales. The teenager has come up the ranks of NSW cricket rapidly, having scored heavily in the Under-19 National Championships and then scoring a hundred on debut for the Australian U-19 team against Pakistan in January this year. He spoke on how he became a cricketer, the biggest turnaround in his career and the Indian cricketer he admires.
Q Tell us a bit about your formative years?
My early days were like any other young boy. I loved playing outside with all my friends and playing a variety of sports and games. Cricket was just another game that I used to love playing with dad or my family and friends on a regular basis, but I never wanted to pursue a career in cricket.
Q How did you become interested in cricket?
I saw Adam Gilchrist batting one day on TV and thought "Wow I want to be like him!" He kept hitting the ball so far into the stands and that drove my passion for cricket.
Q Have you faced difficulties taking steps in cricket?
I haven't really encountered many difficulties playing cricket. Although, the one thing that stands out for me was the fact that I was never really given an opportunity in my younger years playing cricket. I would always bat down the order and bowl only a few overs. When I turned either 13 or 14, I realised I had to show people what I could do. The amount of hard training I did when I got to that age was unbelievable. I look back now and know that all the hard work is paying off. Cricket has taught me to respect one another, play hard on the field, make friends and most importantly enjoy each other's success.
Q What was the biggest turning point of your career?
The biggest turning point in my career was scoring a hundred on the last day of a NSW Schoolboy Championships when I was 14. I was only in class nine and was playing against people that were in class 12. From that day, I believed that I was able to score runs against the older guys.
Q Who is the one Indian cricketer you admire and why?
Virat Kohli, without a doubt. He is not just my favourite Indian cricketer, but my favourite cricketer in general. The way he scores runs around the world, can play every shot in the book and has that aggression when he plays is why, in my eyes, he is the best cricketer in the world at the moment.
Q What has been your most memorable moment on the field?
Without a doubt my maiden Youth ODI hundred against Pakistan in Dubai. We were 4/65 and I came in at No 6 to score a hundred. The game got really tight and we just won in the end, so it was a game I'll never forget. There was so much tension. But as soon as we won the game, it was an amazing feeling.
Q How hard or easy is it for Indian origin player to establish themselves in an Australian side?
Whatever your origin is, to establish yourself in the Australian side is very hard. If you score lots of runs in first-class cricket and prove that you are worthy to be in that Australian team, you'll get the opportunity.