Hundreds of youth athletes compete in major cricket tournament in Schenectady county

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (NEWS10) One of the biggest youth cricket competitions in the U.S. has brought about 500 youth cricket players from all across the United States and Canada to Glenville, New York this week.

The NY Ovals, which is an excellent cricket facility located at 4281 Amsterdam Road in Schenectady County, is hosting the North East Premier Cricket League's 2025 Youth Tournament. It will have 38 teams from four age groups: under 11, under 13, under 15, and under 19. They will all compete in the tournament, which ends on Sunday, July 6.

“There’s about 38 teams participating across four age groups,” said Ravi Patel, a parent and team manager. “We have teams from all over the U.S., West Coast, Middle America, East Coast and from Canada as well. It’s a growing sport, as you can see.”

With billions of supporters worldwide cricket is the second most popular sport in the world according to WorldAtlas even if it is still growing in popularity in the United States.

“It’s an English sport that was brought over to all the English colonies, like India and Asia. So, the goal of the sport is, you know, you have offense and defense similar to baseball. You’re trying to score as many runs as possible as you’re on the offense and when you’re on the defense, your goal is to limit the number of runs the other side can score and at the end of the game, whoever has the most runs would win the match” Patel said.

Here in the United States, a lot of first-generation families are now encouraging the sport to their kids, giving young people new chances to learn and connect with their heritage.

 “A lot of the parents are first generation who are coming into America who have grown up with the sport" said Patel "But there was a kind of disconnect with the sport because as they migrate to the states, you know there’s not a lot of opportunity to play cricket, but as conditions, availability and economic conditions prevail, I think it’s allowing a lot more youth to get into cricket because the parents loved the game so much.”

With $975,000 in assistance from the Schenectady County Legislature, the NY Ovals has become one of the best places to host the competition. It has professional playing fields, natural turf wickets, and over 1,300 seats for people to watch.

“These are by far some of the best conditions to play cricket in,” said Patel. “The exposure at this age is priceless.”

The advantages of cricket extend beyond skill for some players.

“A story with my son was, he started playing the sport about three years ago. And it has helped him both physically, you know, getting in shape, but mentally as well, like he’s much more energetic because he’s playing a sport. And the saying is true when kids are busy playing a sport, they’re less busy playing video games and watching less TV and everything else.” 

The friendships and bonding with the team that accompany the game are just as important to young participants as the game itself.

“I’m having really fun playing the sport,” said Vir Patel, a youth player who’s been playing for three years. “Being with the team, having fun, and getting some wickets.”

“I just started last year when I was six,” added Rishaan Andhy, another youth player. “My dad told me about cricket; I tried it out and really liked it. I started watching it and got really into it.”

Attendance at the NEPCL tournament is free, and spectator parking is free as well. According to management it's a fantastic chance for fans and families to get a taste of a sport that's quickly becoming popular in the United States.