Cricket is often seen as more than just a sport in India—it’s a passion, a religion, and sometimes, a lifeline. This was evidenced once again when former Indian cricketer Yuvraj Singh discovered a 4-year-old cricketing prodigy named Rishika from Kolkata.

Singh, known for his knack for spotting and nurturing young talent, took notice of Rishika’s remarkable batting skills after a video of her playing cricket went viral on social media.

The viral sensation

A few days ago, a video featuring Rishika playing cricket with her father in the Newtown area of Kolkata captured the internet’s attention. The young girl was seen exhibiting batting techniques that resembled those of professional players, showcasing her natural talent and passion for the game.

The video quickly went viral, with numerous fans praising her god-gifted talent. Many remarked that she seemed destined to play cricket. The overwhelming positive response highlighted her potential and brought her into the spotlight, catching the attention of one of India’s cricketing legends, Yuvraj Singh.

Yuvraj Singh’s generous offer

Recognizing Rishika’s potential, Yuvraj Singh, who has been actively involved in nurturing cricketing talent through his Centers of Excellence in partnership with Merlin Group, decided to offer her a scholarship.

This announcement was made during the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 match in the United States, where Yuvraj also serves as the official brand ambassador. In a formal ceremony, Rishika was awarded the scholarship, marking a significant milestone in her budding cricketing journey.

A special gift from Yuvraj

In addition to the scholarship, Yuvraj sent Rishika a signed cricket bat as a token of his appreciation and encouragement. This gesture not only delighted Rishika but also served as a powerful symbol of support from one of India’s cricketing greats.

Overcoming adversities

Speaking about Rishika, Yuvraj said that the young girl is extremely talented at such a young age and some of her shots left him flabbergasted.

“The Yuvraj Singh Center of Excellence at Merlin Rise, Kolkata is committed to nurturing young cricketing talent. Cricket talent has always been ahead in Bengal and we are giving this special scholarship to talent like Rishika Sarkar. I have seen videos of him playing cricket and I believe he is very talented at such a young age. Some of her shots moved me. We will assist him in his training at our High-Performance Training Center at YSCE at Merlin Rise, Kolkata, and our coaches will help her hone his talent further,” said Yuvraj.

Comprehensive training and support

Rishika will receive professional coaching three days a week at the Yuvraj Singh Center of Excellence (YSCE). The coaches at YSCE will closely monitor her progress, ensuring she gets the best possible training and guidance.

Indian cricketer and YSCE (Yuvraj Singh Centre of Excellence) Head Coach Satyendra Singh stated that Rishika has a bright future ahead. “It was a raw and inborn talent. We hope we can help her and her future is bright,” said Satyendra.