Kalyan: A 16-member team of young cricketers from Maharashtra has left for Johannesburg, South Africa, to play international matches and attend specialized training organized by Santosh Sports Cricket Academy. Nine players from Kalyan-Dombivli are part of the squad. The tour will run from October 25 to November 6.

Marking its 18th consecutive year of international tours, the academy has organized an enriching cricketing experience for the young players. The team will play two day-night matches and eight T20 matches during the tour. The players will also receive professional training under the guidance of the Morkel brothers and Lions head coaches Gharnet Kruger and Kurt Hooman.

The training programme aims to familiarize players with modern cricket techniques, professional standards and the discipline required at the international level, helping them improve their skills and gain valuable experience.

Santosh Pathak will lead the tour, with Paresh Hindurao serving as coach and Ashwini Chaudhary as assistant coach.

Before their departure, the players received best wishes from former India international cricketer Vinod Kambli, MLAs Sanjay Dutt and Brij Kishore Dutt, and State Sports Policy Committee member Avinash Ombase.

Tour chief Santosh Pathak said, “Through Santosh Sports Cricket Academy, we have been trying to provide young cricketers with the opportunity to play at the international level and receive quality training for the last 18 years. This tour will not only give players technical knowledge of cricket, but also discipline, team spirit, confidence, and experience of international cricket. This tour will be important in terms of developing capable players for Indian cricket in the future.”

The selected players are Satwik Karekar, Yash Bhurbuda, Mitansh Lone, Krishna Dhami, Kimaya Kadam, Sanchit Gore, Shaurya Shirke, Rajveer Kute, Kavish Chaudhary, Rudra Medhi, Salil Satam, Kartik Lokhande, Sarvil Diwate, Jayakrishna Bhoye, Rudra Dahotre and Aarav Kamble.