How a young boy’s random decision turned into a cricketing dream under the guidance of Sourabh Jagdale
Written by: Dnyaneshwar Sapate
At just 13 years old, Vivaan Hansalia has already spent five years shaping his identity around cricket, a sport he stumbled upon almost by accident. What began as a random choice during the first lockdown of 2020 has now turned into a focused pursuit of excellence, thanks to the nurturing ecosystem at Jagdale Sports Foundation and the structured programs initiated by Sourabh Jagdale and Group.
A New Beginning in Uncertain Times
Vivaan’s cricketing journey began when he was 8 years old. Having been a swimmer before, the cricket ground was an unfamiliar place for him and “a little weird,” as he puts it. Yet, what started as curiosity soon turned into commitment.
When Vivaan joined JSF’s group coaching sessions during the pandemic, he came in as a bowler. But what made him stay was not just the game itself. It was the trust his coaches placed in him. Dnyaneshwar Jagdale Sir and Sourabh Jagdale noticed his spark early on and encouraged him to explore his full potential. That faith, Vivaan recalls, was what truly anchored him in cricket.
Transformation Through High Performance
The turning point came when Vivaan was inducted into the High Performance Athlete Development Program, a specialized initiative led by Sourabh Jagdale.
Under the mentorship of Sourabh Jagdale and the guidance of expert coaches like Dnyaneshwar Jagdale Sir, Jaideep Narse Sir, Mental Conditioning Coach Alex Varghese, and Strength and Conditioning Specialist Atharva Jadhav, Vivaan’s game began to evolve. His growth was not just technical, but also mental and physical.
He recalls a pivotal piece of advice that shaped his training mindset:
“Prepare for 200 to 250 balls for U14 matches, which means practice 400 to 500 every day.”
This relentless routine helped Vivaan refine his batting skills and build the discipline that now defines his game.
Finding Purpose Beyond the Game
Like every athlete, Vivaan’s journey was not without challenges. About two and a half years into his cricketing career, he went through a rough patch where performances dipped and self-doubt began to creep in.
Just when he felt like walking away from cricket, Sourabh Jagdale stepped in, not with pressure, but with perspective.
A parent-athlete interaction was organized where concerns about cricket as a career were addressed with honesty and reassurance. The message was simple, trust the process, stay patient, and keep growing.
That meeting, along with ongoing mental conditioning sessions by Alex Varghese Sir, helped Vivaan rebuild his confidence. “It wasn’t just about my game. It was about my mindset,” he says.
Moments of Pride
Hard work and persistence paid off.
Vivaan’s proudest memory remains his first 300-run score in invitation matches, a moment that symbolized both achievement and validation. Soon after, his consistent performances earned him selection in the Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) team. And not just as a player, but as captain. He also became the highest run-getter for Maharashtra in the Under 14 circuit and was awarded the U14 Best Player of the Year for the state.
For Vivaan, that selection was not luck. It was a culmination of years of personal attention from Sourabh Jagdale, who guided him not only as a coach but as a mentor. He often scheduled early morning one-on-one sessions to correct Vivaan’s technique and build his mental strength.
“Sourabh Sir didn’t just teach me how to play cricket,” Vivaan says. “He taught me how to manage school, sport, and life.”
A New Milestone in Vivaan’s Journey: Backed by Eclat Sports
As Vivaan continues to grow through JSF’s structured high-performance system, his journey reached another milestone when Eclat Sports officially chose to sponsor him a recognition initiated through the collaboration between Mr. Ashutosh Ugile and Mr. Sourabh Jagdale. For Vivaan, this sponsorship is not just about receiving premium cricket gear; it is a validation of his discipline, progress, and the potential his mentors see in him.
It reflects how JSF nurtures young athletes through technical coaching, mental conditioning, strength and conditioning support, and pathways that open real-world opportunities. Vivaan’s rise now inspires many others at JSF to believe in the process, stay committed, and chase excellence with the same focus and humility.
A Future Built on Foundation
Today, Vivaan is a part of JSF’s High Performance Program, where each day brings new learning and renewed motivation. Surrounded by teammates who feel more like family, he trains with clarity about where he wants to go next, representing MCA consistently and ultimately playing for India in the U19 World Cup.
He feels grateful for the ecosystem that has shaped him, from structured training facilities to mentorship that goes beyond cricket.
“Every day at JSF feels new. The energy, the coaches, the environment, it is all building me for something bigger,” he says.
Shaping Athletes, Shaping Futures
Vivaan’s story reflects what Sourabh Jagdale and Group stand for, developing athletes with purpose, character, and resilience.
From the first ball bowled as a curious eight-year-old to captaining an MCA side, Vivaan’s progress embodies the JSF philosophy of performance through discipline, growth through guidance, and success through a strong system.
His message for aspiring cricketers sums it up perfectly:
“Just follow what your coaches tell you. Trust the process, and everything else will fall into place.”
Closing Note
Vivaan Hansalia’s journey is more than a personal success story. It is a living example of how the right environment, mentorship, and belief can transform young potential into real performance.
For JSF, that is what true victory looks like, not just building cricketers, but shaping champions.