Cricket never leaves you: How CricHeroes helped Sanket Talia stay connected to the game

Once a cricketer, always one

Sanket Talia’s journey with cricket began like many others, with a bat in hand and dreams in his eyes. He played Under 19 cricket for Surat and went on to play first division cricket in West Bengal. For years, his life revolved around the game. He did not just play cricket. He lived it.

Although he no longer plays professional cricket, his connection with the game has never faded. He still takes part in the occasional club match, but the game now holds a different and equally meaningful place in his life.

New role, same passion

Four years ago, Sanket stepped into umpiring. What started as a casual suggestion from a friend to join CricHeroes and try officiating soon turned into something much more. He began small, learning the basics and watching the game from a new perspective.

Also read: How to Become a Cricket Umpire

Today, he has officiated in more than 700 matches, including inter-college and inter-district games. He has earned a quiet reputation for being consistent, fair, and fully focused on the field.

In March, he topped the Gujarat leaderboard for most matches officiated on CricHeroes. It was not a milestone he had planned for, but one that came through dedication and love for the game. As a small gesture of appreciation, he received a CricHeroes t-shirt and coin. Simple tokens, but they meant a lot.

Umpiring gave him what cricket had always offered — purpose, focus, and joy.

Learning never stops

Even with all his experience, Sanket never stopped wanting to improve. He recently took the CricHeroes Umpire Certification Course and scored a perfect 100 out of 100. He was one of the very few to achieve this. It was more than just a score. It was proof of his commitment to doing things right.

“The certificate now shows on my profile,” he says. “It may be a small thing, but it reflects how seriously I take this role.”

Sanket’s story reminds us that cricket always finds a way to stay in your life. Sometimes it comes through new roles like umpiring, scoring, or commentating. Other times it shows up in the friendships, the discipline, or the quiet pride of being part of something greater.

For those who truly love the game, there is always a way to stay connected. At CricHeroes, we celebrate and are proud to support people like Sanket who continue to love the game, no matter the role they play.