Harvansh Singh: From Gujarat to India U-19, Inspired by Yuvraj Singh
In the quiet hours of a Canadian morning, around 3 AM, Damandeep Singh’s phone buzzed relentlessly. After grueling 15-16 hour shifts driving a truck in Brampton, waking up was no easy task. Yet, when he finally checked his phone, a flood of congratulatory messages awaited him. His son, Harvansh Singh Pangalia, had been selected for the India U-19 squad for the upcoming tour of England. ‘It feels surreal,’ Damandeep shared with a mix of exhaustion and pride in his voice over a call to us.
Harvansh, a wicketkeeper-batter hailing from the small town of Gandhidham in Gujarat’s Rann of Kutch, has carved a path that blends determination with inspiration. Born into a family of cricket enthusiasts, Harvansh grew up watching his father Damandeep and uncle Kunwarajeet Singh, both wicketkeepers, play in local matches. ‘Cricket was always in our blood,’ Damandeep reminisced. ‘My brother and I played for fun, but Harvansh took it to another level.’
The turning point in Harvansh’s life came unexpectedly through a YouTube video. Despite never witnessing Yuvraj Singh in his prime, Harvansh became captivated by the iconic footage of Yuvraj smashing six sixes off Stuart Broad in the 2007 T20 World Cup. This obsession turned him into a southpaw batter, mirroring his idol. ‘He watched that video endlessly,’ Damandeep chuckled. ‘It fueled his dream to play for India.’
In 2012, when Harvansh was just six, the Saurashtra Cricket Association (SCA) opened an academy in Gandhidham, a town over 200 km from Rajkot, the nearest cricketing hub. Damandeep enrolled his son, passing down his wicketkeeping skills. But life took a challenging turn in 2017 when the family decided to migrate to Canada for better opportunities. While Damandeep, along with his elder brother and sister, moved to Brampton, Harvansh stood firm. ‘I want to play for India only,’ he declared, refusing to relocate despite family pressure. ‘Easy isn’t what I want. If I play, it will be for my country,’ he argued.
Reluctantly, Damandeep agreed to a compromise. Harvansh stayed back in Gujarat with his mother, Jaspreet Kaur, while his father toiled on Canadian roads, driving trucks for up to 14-16 hours daily amidst a tough recession. ‘Life here is hard,’ Damandeep admitted. ‘But seeing Harvansh take these giant strides makes every struggle worth it. He keeps telling me to return, and like any desi father, I tell him I’m saving for his future if cricket doesn’t work out.’
Back in India, Harvansh’s talent blossomed under the mentorship of Jaydev Shah, president of the SCA, who took a personal interest in nurturing the young cricketer. Now, as Harvansh checks into the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru for a month-long camp ahead of the England tour, his father dreams of a day when the 13,296 km distance between them vanishes. ‘I hope to cheer for every run, every catch, every stumping from the stands,’ Damandeep said, his voice tinged with hope.
Harvansh’s story isn’t just about cricket; it’s about resilience, sacrifice, and an unbreakable bond between a father and son. From defying the odds to honoring a promise to reunite his family in India, this young talent’s journey to the India U-19 squad is a testament to dreams knowing no boundaries. As Damandeep gears up for another long drive, his heart remains with Harvansh, who is already scripting the next chapter of an inspiring tale.