2 days ago
Dhuri: cricket journey across continents
MUSCAT: Sandesh Dhuri's cricketing journey spans decades, continents, and generations of aspiring athletes. From a First-Class cricketer in India to a pioneering coach in Oman and now a youth development leader in the United States, Dhuri's legacy continues to inspire.
Born in Goa, India, Dhuri represented his home state in the prestigious Ranji Trophy between 1993 and 1998. A right-handed batsman and wicketkeeper, he also featured in the South Zone squad for the Duleep and Deodhar Trophies in 1997, playing under legends like WV Raman and Robin Singh.
In 1998, Dhuri moved to Oman, contributing to the Omani cricketing family. His playing career culminated with a national team tour to Malaysia in 2006 under coach Sandeep Patil.
Transitioning to coaching, Dhuri became an Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Level 3 coach and an ICC-certified trainer. He played a key role as an ACC educator in Oman, training future coaches and players alike. In 2023, he was appointed Elite Coach of the Oman A team and led a U19 high-performance camp under Gary Kirsten.
Dhuri was also Head Coach at the Bausher Olympic Centre (BOC) in Muscat, where he developed world-class cricket facilities and led community outreach programmes. His leadership turned BOC into a hub for youth development, managing 10 pitches across Muscat and organizing international tours to the UK, India, UAE, Sri Lanka, Australia, and the USA.
A landmark came in 2023 when a U17 team under Bausher Sports Centre toured the USA—marking the first cricket tour from the Gulf to the United States. This milestone reflected Dhuri's vision for exposing youth to global competition.
In 2024, Dhuri moved to Texas, USA, where he took over as Head Coach of Texas Cricket Club (TCC). Under his guidance, TCC won the U17 International Tour Tournament and the US Junior League Championship. He also helped develop infrastructure at Dallas Sports Center, including turf grounds and pitches.
Beyond coaching, Dhuri actively promotes cricket at the grassroots level, organizing youth tournaments, school workshops, and serving on regional selection panels. His efforts continue to shape young cricketers both on and off the field.
