ICC Men's World Cup 2023: Netherlands' Teja, Vikram, and Aryan take the spotlight
ICC Men's World Cup 2023: The ICC Men's World Cup 2023 is not just a cricket tournament for Netherlands' cricketers Teja Nidamanuru, Aryan Dutt, and Vikram Singh. It is a journey back to their roots, a heartfelt connection to the land of their ancestors. As they prepare to face Pakistan in their opening World Cup match at Hyderabad, these players carry with them a profound sense of heritage and nostalgia.
Teja Nidamanuru, hailing from Vijayawada, located 280 kilometers from Hyderabad, has a special connection to this venue. Playing a World Cup match in the city of his birth is a dream come true for the 29-year-old cricketer. With relatives residing in Vijayawada, Teja eagerly anticipates their presence in the stadium to watch him and the team in action against Pakistan and New Zealand.
"Qualifying to play the World Cup in India, the place of my birth, is something that I am extremely excited about. I am sure there will be a small tear when the anthems happen and my family is in the stands in Hyderabad," said Teja.
Vikram Singh, a 20-year-old all-rounder, awaits Netherlands' match in Dharamsala against South Africa. During this break, he plans to visit Cheema Khurd in Jalandhar and reconnect with his relatives. Although born and raised in the Netherlands, Vikram still feels a deep bond with his ancestral roots.
However, Teja's connection to India is more vivid, marked by the sacrifices made by his parents, especially his mother, to nurture his cricketing dream. "My parents decided to move to New Zealand in search of a brighter future. It was my father's dream to live overseas, and we had the opportunity to do this because my mother got a job in Auckland at the district health board as a dialysis technician," Teja shared. His mother raised him as a single parent, and despite life's challenges, Teja persevered and pursued his passion for cricket.
Teja is not just a talented cricketer but also excels in marketing and sports management. This skill set ultimately opened the doors for him to play cricket in the Netherlands. "That's how I got myself to the Netherlands, which was for work reasons on a work permit. After working and living there full time for three years, I qualified to play for the Netherlands," he explained.
For Vikram, his journey into Dutch cricket was more seamless, as his father played amateur cricket for a club in Amsterdam. Vikram started playing at a young age, accompanying his father to the cricket ground. "I am still playing my club cricket with them in the Top League. It is the national center for cricket as well," Vikram noted. Unlike Vikram and Aryan, who are still establishing themselves in top-level cricket, Teja has already made a significant impact with his explosive batting. He made a memorable 76-ball 111 when Netherlands defeated the West Indies in the ICC World Cup qualifier. This remarkable performance not only showcased his talent but also secured a spot for the Netherlands in the World Cup.
Despite the challenges posed by the European winter, Aryan Dutt, a 20-year-old off-spinner, and a descendant of Hoshiarpur, Punjab, explained that Dutch national team players find ways to stay connected to the game. They either travel abroad during the Dutch winter to play in the southern hemisphere summer or stay with the national team and train indoors. Additionally, they embark on overseas tours and participate in camps in countries like South Africa.
As these cricketers represent the Netherlands on the world stage, they carry their heritage with them. Their journey to India is not just a quest for victory; it's a poignant pilgrimage to their roots, a celebration of the dreams and sacrifices that brought them to where they are today.
- With inputs from agencies
