Viraj Vaghela
Vaghela has won MVP in a tournament in St.Louis/Atlanta, drafted to the first-ever minor league of cricket, and won the best bowler in Florida.
Junior Viraj Vaghela’s passion for cricket has taken him around the world.
Photo Courtesy of Viraj Vaghela.
Caleb Smith, Staff Writer
Viraj Vaghela, Northview’s Cricket Team captain, is on a journey with the game of cricket. He had a passion for the sport since he was young, which drove him to never stop playing.
“I started when I was 6, but it was not until I was 7 when I really enjoyed the game and decided to keep playing,” Vaghela said.
After over 10 years of playing cricket, Vaghela has a lot of experience. Vaghela, now a junior, is a first-year captain for Northview and plays as the team’s batsman and bowler. Since his first game in 2010, he’s played on several different teams. Vaghela even moved to India for a semester to try playing out in a different area. He wanted to experience what players in another country were like. During his time abroad, Vaghela realized the intensity of competition.
“Playing in India showed me that I needed to work hard to get to where I want to be,” Vaghela said.
He then moved back to Georgia to continue playing at his club in Atlanta. Since then, he has also started playing for Northview, truly dedicating all his time to the sport.
However, COVID-19 brought a few obstacles to their practices and coaching, but their sponsor coach, John McCombe, has taken time to continue coaching Vaghela and his teammates so they are able to continue playing.
Vaghela’s teammates enjoy having him as their captain but also as an incredible asset to the team.
“From handling the team’s discipline to making crucial calls on the field, Viraj demonstrates true leadership.”
Vaghela has been working hard to improve and get better every game. He wants to practice for long periods to not only better himself, but for him to be able to help his teammates as well. He believes that when everyone works together it is stronger than being apart, and he is ready to make this season his best yet.
Vaghela plays multiple positions on the team due to his years of experience. As captain, he is a strong player with the ability to take any position to help his team win. Vaghela is seen as a leader by his teammates and himself, captaining not only Northview’s team but other teams in Atlanta as well. His passion for the game has also lead him to teach younger kids to play. He truly wants them to enjoy and grow a love for the game as much as he did.
“He sets a great example for the team and specifically younger players through his passion for the game of cricket,” teammate Akhil Swarna said.
On and off the field, Vaghela takes the time to encourage everyone before practice and games. He believes this allows the team to have a great start before playing and improves the team’s overall comradery.
“I think [Northview’s] team is very well-balanced, [and] we have the proper resources this year to fully be prepared enough to win these last few games,” Vaghela said.
Vaghela has seen a lot of growth within his teammates, but mostly within himself, having worked hard to become the player he is today. He takes cricket as a lifestyle and not just a game because it has taught him so many life lessons. Vaghela is more than content with where he got through cricket, but he cannot wait to see where cricket will take him from here.
