NEW DELHI: ‘We’re going to create some chaos!’ These were the enthusiastic first words from Vinayak Shukla when questioned about his readiness for the Asia Cup. This talented wicketkeeper from Kanpur has truly journeyed far since 2021, when he embarked on a quest to fulfill his cricketing aspirations. Recognizing the immense competition within Uttar Pradesh and the scarcity of opportunities, he made a life-altering choice: to relocate to Oman.
After years of relentless dedication in Oman, Shukla’s dream materialized in 2024 with his debut for the national team. In Oman, where cricket isn’t a full-time profession and matches are infrequent, players often balance their sporting careers with regular jobs to sustain themselves.
Shukla himself earns his living as a Data Operator. For more than a year, his life has been a demanding juggle between daytime office work and intense evening cricket practice. His unwavering commitment, combined with a touch of good fortune, saw him proudly don the national jersey in 2024, fulfilling a long-cherished dream.
In his debut match, batting at number six, Shukla hammered an unbeaten 40 against Qatar, guiding his team to a 35-run victory. Even after this stellar performance, his ambition remained clear. He told Captain Jatinder Singh, “Brother, I want to play in the Asia Cup.” Just a year later, Oman achieved the remarkable feat of qualifying for the prestigious continental tournament.
Despite being drawn in Group A with cricket giants India, Pakistan, and the United Arab Emirates, Oman’s journey in the tournament has concluded with losses against Pakistan and UAE. Nonetheless, Shukla is overjoyed by the prospect of playing his final group match against India. This game will offer a special opportunity to reconnect with his childhood friends, Rinku Singh and Kuldeep Yadav. India, having already secured a spot in the Super Four, will challenge Oman this Friday at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
“It was an incredibly tough decision,” Shukla confessed. “I left Indian cricket in November 2021, moving to Oman solely to chase my dreams. Currently, I work as a Data Operator at National Metal Cans. My cricketing journey began in Kanpur, playing for local clubs like the PAC Cricket Ground, and then I moved between various Indian cities. However, the fundamental issue was the lack of opportunities to represent my home state.” He further elaborated on his experiences, “In Bengal, I had the privilege to play against international players like Ashok Dinda and Manoj Tiwari, who offered invaluable guidance, particularly for my wicketkeeping skills. I even met Dinesh Karthik during Kolkata Knight Riders sessions. I’ve competed against many Ranji Trophy talents such as Mayank Agarwal and Mohammed Azharuddeen. Earlier in Uttar Pradesh, I trained alongside Upendra Yadav and Shivam Mavi, and later in Bengal with players like Ranjot Singh Khera and Karan Lal.”
As a wicketkeeper-batter, Mahendra Singh Dhoni has always been my greatest inspiration. His ability to finish games and his leadership are simply unmatched. He is truly my guru.
— Vinayak Shukla
“I consulted with some seniors before approaching one of my coaches, Prakash Palande sir, who then offered me the chance to go to Muscat,” Shukla recounted. “He informed me I would need to reside there for roughly two years, and if I performed consistently, I might get the opportunity to represent the national team after about three years. As a wicketkeeper-batter, Mahendra Singh Dhoni has always been my greatest inspiration. His ability to finish games and his leadership are simply unmatched. He is truly my guru. I haven’t had the chance to meet him yet, but it’s a big dream of mine.”
“I’ve played cricket with Kuldeep Yadav back in India, so I’m really looking forward to meeting him again soon,” he expressed. “It’s an incredible opportunity for both me and my team to compete against powerhouse nations like Pakistan and India. We grew up glued to our TVs, watching these players. I’m certainly nervous, but the excitement outweighs it. I vividly recall playing matches with Kuldeep bhai in Kanpur; he played for Rovers Club, and I was with PSE. We had many friendly encounters. Once, when he bowled to me, I hit him for a four, and he exclaimed, ‘Oh, pretty good shot!’ Those are fond memories I’ll forever treasure.”
“Playing against India will undoubtedly be a very special moment,” Shukla stated. “I went from playing cricket in India to now representing Oman – I couldn’t ask for anything more. Facing world-class players like Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav, Kuldeep, and Shubman Gill is a tremendous experience, not just for me but for the entire Oman national cricket team. I am particularly eager to meet Kuldeep personally.”
Busting the Kanpur ‘Paan Masala’ Myth
When Kanpur is mentioned, many people immediately picture individuals chewing paan masala (a blend of betel nut and tobacco) and its associated spitting. However, Shukla, who has proudly represented the Oman national cricket team in 8 ODIs and 10 T20Is, wants to set the record straight: there’s far more to his hometown than this stereotype suggests.
“That’s absolutely not the only characteristic of Kanpur. The city boasts numerous beautiful places. The memes unfairly zoom in on paan masala, but that’s not the complete picture. Everyone should take the time to visit and truly explore the city,” he urged.
“Paan masala ke alawa bhi bahut kuch famous hai Kanpur mein (There’s a lot more to Kanpur than just paan masala),” he stated with a chuckle, before proudly listing some of the city’s culinary gems: “Chaat, Imarti, Badnaam Kulfi, and Thaggu ke Laddu are amongst Kanpur’s most renowned delicacies.”
“I genuinely miss those evenings spent with friends after practice, enjoying tea and simply bonding,” Shukla reflected. “That unique kind of warmth is incredibly hard to find here in Oman.”