From Punjab's fields to Netherlands' cricket stardom: The inspiring journey of Vikramjit Singh
PTC News Desk: Vikramjit Singh, the Netherlands' opening batter, may not have made a significant impact in the IND vs. NED clash during the Super 12 stage of the T20 World Cup 2022, but his journey in life has already been filled with remarkable achievements. At just 19-year-old, he represents the Netherlands at the highest level of cricket and is considered their best hope at the top order. However, his story goes beyond the cricket field, with deep-rooted connections to India, particularly Punjab. Let's delve into the incredible journey of Vikramjit Singh.
Vikramjit Singh's grandfather, Khushi Cheema, hails from the village of Cheema Khurd in Punjab, India. Their lives took a dramatic turn during the tumultuous year of 1984 when the infamous riots ravaged Punjab. Fearing for the safety of his family, Khushi Cheema made the heart-wrenching decision to leave their homeland and boarded a train to Delhi as the riots spread like wildfire across Punjab.
With his five-year-old son, Harpreet, in tow, Khushi Cheema eventually found refuge in the Netherlands. There, he started driving a taxi to make ends meet. In the year 2000, he returned briefly to India, having successfully established a taxi business in the Netherlands and passed the reins to his son Harpreet.
Harpreet, Vikramjit's father, recalls the challenges his family faced in those early days in a new and unfamiliar country. "Back then, there was racism. I faced a lot because of my skin colour, turban, and beard," he reveals, shedding light on the difficulties they encountered while adapting to their new life.
Vikramjit himself was born in Punjab, in the same village as his father and grandfather, Cheema Khurd. However, his life took a different trajectory when, at the age of seven, he was sent to the Netherlands. It was there that he discovered his passion for cricket, and destiny intervened in the form of Peter Borren, the former captain of the Netherlands cricket team.
At the tender age of 12, Peter Borren spotted the young talent and took him under his wing, nurturing his cricketing skills. By the age of 15, Vikramjit made his debut for the Netherlands A side, marking the beginning of his journey towards becoming a professional cricketer. His early years in Cheema Khurd had instilled a love for cricket in him that would eventually lead him to the international stage.
Fast forward to today, Vikramjit Singh has become a rising star in Dutch cricket. Born on January 9, 2003, he has been representing the Netherlands national team since 2019, and at just 20 years of age, his left-handed batting style has garnered widespread attention. His recent century against Oman in the ICC World Cup 2023 Qualifiers Super Six fixture further solidified his reputation as a formidable batsman.
During the game, Vikramjit displayed remarkable skill, scoring 110 runs off just 109 balls, including 11 fours and two sixes. His dedication to honing his cricketing skills is evident from the time he spent in India, where he practiced at Uniyal's Gurusagar Cricket Academy in Chandigarh and trained with former India Under-19 cricketer Taruwar Kohli, who played for a club in Amsterdam. Vikramjit's hard work and determination paid off when he finally achieved his maiden century in ODI cricket for the Netherlands, an achievement that took 20 international innings to materialise.
Vikramjit's journey from the village of Cheema Khurd in Punjab to international cricket stardom in the Netherlands is a testament to his resilience and passion for the sport. His family's history, marked by their escape from Punjab during a turbulent period, adds depth to his inspiring story. While life in the Netherlands presented its own set of challenges, their perseverance and Vikramjit's talent have enabled them to overcome adversity and thrive on the global cricket stage.
Also Read: ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023: Indian Squad
- With inputs from agencies
