Mohali lad shines in inter-district tourney

Mohali wicketkeeper Aalam Bakshi (22) effected 18 stumpings and scored 365 runs in the Punjab State Inter-District U-23 Cricket Tournament organised by the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) at Mullanpur recently. In the U-23 (Multi Day) tournament held in Moga in April, Bakshi had posted a stunning 110 off 109 balls in his debut match. His leadership credentials were put to test when the District Cricket Association, Mohali, entrusted him with the captaincy for the PCA-organised tournament at Mullanpur from June 1 to 16. Despite a narrow defeat to Ropar in the opener, Mohali won six matches under Bakshi’s captaincy.

While Jalandhar clinched the title in the 50-over final on June 16, Bakshi tournament scores included 126 off 117 balls against Hoshiarpur during the league stage and 85 off 82 against Amritsar in the quarterfinals.

Bakshi was equally impactful behind the stumps and effected 18 dismissals in the tournament.

An alumnus of DAV School, Sector 8, Bakshi completed his graduation in English (Honours) from Delhi University’s Kirori Mal College. He is currently pursuing his law degree at Panjab University, balancing academic rigor with sporting excellence. His cricketing journey began at the age of 10, under the guidance of coach Yogesh Sharma. He was a student at St Anne’s Convent School, Sector 32.

At 14, Aalam Bakshi donned the Punjab jersey as a wicketkeeper-batsman in the U-14 and U-16 categories. His continued to shine when he represented the UT Cricket Association (UTCA) in the U-19 category, finishing as highest run scorer for the association in the Cooch Behar Trophy 2021–22.

“I am hope to represent the country in future. The recent tournament was really good and I am well prepared for the future events. My family has supported me throughout and made things a bit easier for me. After I fractured my elbow, my mother left her job to support me in my recovery. She has been the backbone of my cricketing career,” said Bakshi.

Chandigarh