From Noida’s Cricket Grounds to Big-League Nets: Shivam Thakur’s Journey of Dreams, Discipline and Determination

Before many people knew Shivam Thakur through the later chapters of his sporting journey, there was cricket—a dream that began on local grounds, grew through summer cricket, selection camps and competitive matches, and eventually took him close to some of the biggest names and environments in Indian cricket.

For Shivam, cricket was never just a game. It was the first place where he learned discipline, pressure, teamwork, sacrifice and the courage to dream bigger than his circumstances.

One of the earliest milestones in his journey was his Under-16 selection, a moment that gave him the confidence that years of training were moving in the right direction. Representing his area and performing in competitive cricket became a matter of pride. Every wicket, every spell and every camp was an opportunity to make Noida proud.

His journey later took him into major cricket training environments, including NCA-related camps, where he experienced the discipline and intensity required at higher levels of the sport. Those camps were not simply training sessions; they became classrooms where fitness, bowling rhythm, mental strength and professionalism were developed.

Among the most memorable chapters was the opportunity to work as a net bowler for Delhi Daredevils during the IPL environment. Bowling in the nets of a professional IPL team was a dream moment for a young cricketer who had spent countless hours practicing away from the spotlight. He also received opportunities to bowl in the nets for Punjab’s cricket setup, gaining priceless exposure to elite-level players and professional cricket culture.

But perhaps one of the most emotional memories came when the back of his cricket jersey finally carried his own identity:

S. THAKUR – 07

Seeing his name printed on the jersey was more than a sporting moment. It represented every early morning, every tiring training session, every summer match and every sacrifice made in pursuit of the dream.

There were individual performances that made the journey even more special. On memorable occasions, Shivam took five or more wickets, earned Man of the Match recognition, and received a cricket ball as a gift for his outstanding bowling performance. For a bowler, that ball was not merely an award—it became a symbol of hard work turning into achievement.

His collection of photographs from summer cricket, camps, matches, selections and professional net sessions today tells a story that words alone cannot completely describe.

However, sport is also about unexpected challenges.

During one of his cricket camps, Shivam suffered an injury. For an athlete chasing a dream with complete dedication, an injury can change everything. Plans suddenly become uncertain, training stops, and the future looks different from what was imagined.

But setbacks do not erase achievements.

Cricket taught Shivam something far more valuable than winning matches: a dream may change, but the mindset of a sportsperson never has to disappear.

The boy who celebrated Under-16 selection, bowled long spells in summer cricket, trained at demanding camps, entered professional cricket nets, saw S. THAKUR 07 on his back, collected wickets and received Man of the Match honours carried those lessons forward.

His cricket journey remains proof that success is not measured only by where a career finishes.

Sometimes, success is found in the courage to start, the discipline to continue, the memories created along the way—and the strength to rise again when life changes the game.

“The ground may change, the sport may change, and the destination may change—but a champion’s determination remains the same.”