https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Constable Gulab Singh Shaping Women Cricketers Of Future

In this cricket academy being run by Punjab police Constable Gulab Singh Shergill, girls hope to play one day in the cash-rich Women Premier League Losing out on being a cricketer made Mr Singh Shergill train 18 girls for free. Seven girls from his academy have already been selected in U-15 Patiala's team to play in inter-district tournament in Punjab
Indian Masterminds Stories

Within the next decade, the Women’s IPL could see players coming out of this Punjab police Constable’s Academy that was born out of a father’s dream to provide every opportunity for his daughter to become a cricketer and has put seven budding cricketers on the path of success.

Nestled in Punjab’s Dharoki village, a one-acre piece of farmland is the anvil for 18 girls as they practice under the keen eyes of Constable Gulab Singh Shergill and their coach. Dressed in white trousers and sweatshirts with their names and number emblazoned on the back of their shirts, a la state or national level players, these are just neighbourhood girls except that they have the ambition to play for the country. An ambition instilled by Mr Shergill who also vows to fulfil their ambition. He has also covered some distance in that direction – seven of the 14 girls from his academy have already been selected to represent Patiala, in the Under-15 inter-district cricket tournament in Punjab.

Constable Gulab Singh Shergill enrolling players in his academy

UNFULFILLED DREAMS

It all began amid the Covid-19 lockdown when the Punjab Police Constable decided to keep the village children occupied with sports. Mr. Shergill always wanted to be a cricketer, but fate had other plans. At six, he lost his father, leaving him with limited resources unable to pursue his passion.

“There were no coaches or even cricket fields in my village where I could learn as a child. I loved watching the matches on TV but never got to swing the bat and ball on the 22-yards,” Shergill told Indian Masterminds in an exclusive conversation.

SO CAN I

Before joining the police force, Mr. Shergill was a farmer. He crossed state borders to harvest crops. While visiting former Indian cricketer Munaf Patel’s village in Gujarat, he noted how budding cricketers trained on fields.

“An idea clicked — why not construct a similar set-up in my village? If Munaf Patel could make it to the Indian team training on village grounds, why can’t my kid?” thought he.

Things did not take shape overnight though. In fact, it was not until the March 2020 lockdown that his plans took shape. He took permission from his mother to convert his fertile farmland into a coaching ground for his daughter and other kids, who were suddenly stuck in the lockdown. Mr. Shergill contacted Mr. Abhishek Jalota, the cricket coach of Punjab Public School, Nabha, to etch out a plan.

VILLAGE ACADEMY

Soon 18 girls between the age of 9 and 14 became dedicated trainees at the Shergill farm.

Mr. Shergill recalls: “I harvested the crop of around 1 acre and then left it barren permanently for the kids to play cricket on it.”

Initially, both boys and girls came, but as winter approached, only the girls continued. “Their passion made me decide to train them to achieve the national colours,” he said.

FREE TRAINING

“These kids are serious. They want to be international cricketers. I coach them alongside Mr. Jalota for free,” Mr Shergill said. His salary and farming money — all of it goes into buying jerseys and equipment, besides a good meal for diet. He fulfils his duty as a constable by day or night and manages the training whenever not on duty.

“I didn’t want the girls’ preparation to suffer because of my duties, so, I hired professionals. I keep a close eye and take care of overalls,” he shared.

The families of the budding cricketers know their daughters are at the Shergill farm and are safely training under the good constable. They have full faith in him and his efforts have bore results.

GIVING WINGS

Mr Shergill is all for exposure for his girls. He has got their passports ready. “I keep the players’ documents secure at home along with copies of their school certificates and other IDs,” he said.

Seven of his players have already made it to the district’s under-15 team. Thanks to everyone’s dedication, he says. He knew competitive matches would put the girls on the official cricket radar.

Dharoki, the once unknown village is now on the map, thanks to these girls and their mentor’s dream.

Mr. Shergill doesn’t require any financial assistance from anyone… all that he requires is that his story reaches famous Indian cricket players who could come and spend a day with these young girls and share their experiences and guidance with them!


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
Lamchonghoi Sweety (L S) Changsan
Sweety Changsan IAS Takes Charge of Revenue, Tribal Affairs & ASDMA in Assam
chandrachud1
SC Administration Asks Ex-CJI Chandrachud to Vacate Official Bungalow After Deadline Lapses
cji-br-gavai-supreme-court
CJI Changes 64-Year-Old Rule, OBCs to Get Reservation in Supreme Court Recruitment
Screenshot 2025-07-06 092240
Global Firefly Count Begins with India’s Lead: Conservation Policy in the Works - Details Inside
Raj DGP
Rajasthan: New DGP Rajeev Sharma Aims to Make Rajasthan a Model for Policing in India – Know His Future Plans for Policing in State
Leopard Threat on Kanwar Yatra
UP: Leopard Threat Looms Over Kanwar Yatra in Bijnor; Administration Steps Up Vigil with Drones and Patrolling
Ladli Behna Yojana Housing
Ladli Behna Yojana: 1.30 Crore Urban Beneficiaries to Receive Houses Alongside Financial Aid, Announces MP CM Mohan Yadav
Mohan Yadav
Rs 8,682 MSP for Moong: CM Dr Mohan Yadav Requests 40% Procurement Amid Surge in Cultivation
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
WhatsApp Image 2025-07-03 at 13.33
IRS Sanjay Bahadur: The Officer With a Pen That Bites | Video Interview
Inderjit Singh Air India
Is Air India Carrying The Burden of Split Before Privatisation?
Ex IRS C Rajendiran
Ex-IRS Officer C. Rajendiran Illuminates Thirukkural’s Timeless Wisdom in Exclusive Interview
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
IAS SHWETA BHARTI Bihar
From Wipro to Civil Services: How Bihar's IAS Shweta Bharti Juggled a BPSC Job While Preparing for UPSC
IAS Shweta Bharti, from rural Bihar, balanced a full-time job and UPSC prep with discipline, cracked...
IPS Deepak Meghani
Deepak Meghani, IPS: A Journey of Focus, Failure, and Quiet Discipline
A passionate writer, he has authored several books in Gujarati, ranging from exam strategy guides to...
Sanish Kumar Singh
“If you want it badly enough, you’ll find a way,” Sanish Kumar Singh AIR 8, UPSC IFS 2024 
The real interview, he says, was much more humane. “The board was conversational. The chairman opened...
Social Media
PV Sindhu
PV Sindhu’s Visit to NADT Turns into a Wholesome Tribute to Legacy—and ‘Moolchandj
The Olympic champion shared nostalgic memories, met aspiring IRS officers, and sparked viral laughter...
Shailaja Chandra
“Nanis & Dadis Have a Brain”: Former IAS Officer Shailaja Chandra Weighs in on 1970s vs 2025 Life Debate - “This Generation Has It Better”
Responding to Viral Post on Middle-Class Struggles, Ex-Bureaucrat Offers Candid Reflection on Then and...
Tigress Arrowhead
The End of an Era: A Queen Falls - Ranthambore’s Iconic Tigress Arrowhead (T-84) Passes Away at 14, Hours After Daughter’s Relocation
Ranthambore mourns the loss of one of its fiercest and most beloved tigers, Arrowhead, the granddaughter...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
WhatsApp Image 2025-07-05 at 18.56
Where a Mine Once Lay, Minds Now Grow, Thanks to An IPS with A Vision
Lamchonghoi Sweety (L S) Changsan
Sweety Changsan IAS Takes Charge of Revenue, Tribal Affairs & ASDMA in Assam
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
WhatsApp Image 2025-07-03 at 13.33
Inderjit Singh Air India
Ex IRS C Rajendiran
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT