When people talk about professional cricket in India, the conversation usually moves quickly to stadiums, white jerseys, IPL auctions, and international caps. But far from the spotlight, there is another world of cricket that feeds families, builds careers, and gives players dignity.
Jay Soni belongs to that world.
He comes from Kera, a small village in Gujarat where cricket is played on open grounds and belief matters more than facilities. Today, Jay plays in international tennis cricket leagues across Dubai, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Congo. Not as a one-season name. But as a professional all-rounder who is trusted to deliver.
His story reminds us that cricket does not have just one definition of success.
Growing up with cricket, guided by family
Jay started playing cricket very young. Like many Indian homes, cricket entered his life through family. It was his grandfather who first made him pick up the bat and take the game seriously.
Jay says it clearly:
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“My grandfather was the one who taught me the basics.”
Those early lessons were not about highlights. They were about routine. Showing up. Playing with respect.
And when the questions came later, when people started doubting the path Jay was on, his mother stood firmly behind him.
Her message was simple:
“If cricket is what he loves, let him do it.”
That kind of support does not make headlines, but it makes careers.
“Tennis ball cricket won’t get you ”far”,or will it?
Every tennis ball player has heard some version of it.
“How will you earn a livelihood with tennis ball cricket?”
“With a tennis ball, you can’t reach anything bigger.”
The assumption is always the same. If you are not playing leather ball cricket at the top level, this is just time pass.
For many, tennis ball cricket is seen as limited. Jay’s story tells a different truth.
The same tennis ball cricket that people dismiss has taken him to international leagues in Dubai, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Congo.
He credits tennis ball cricket for giving him more than matches. “Because of this game, I got to travel and meet people I will stay connected with for life.”
What his teammates see in him
Speak to people who have played with Jay, and a clear picture shows up.
They describe him as calm. Down to earth. A dependable all-rounder. Someone who does not talk big but plays big.
One teammate says it straight:
“When Jay is in the game, we feel we can still win.”
That confidence is not built on hype. It comes from years of doing the job, over and over again.
The numbers behind the journey
Jay Soni’s career is long, and it shows in his numbers.
- 700+ matches played
- 17,000+ runs scored
- 800+ wickets taken
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As an all-rounder, Jay stays involved at every moment. If the team needs runs, he bats. He bowls when wickets are needed. If the match demands control, he adapts.
These are not numbers from one good phase. They are the result of consistency across years, tournaments, and conditions.
Redefining what “making it” looks like
Jay does not romanticize the grind. He keeps it practical.
He believes it is not necessary to play international leather ball cricket to earn from the game. If you treat tennis ball cricket like a profession, you can build a good and stable income.
That is a big truth for young players who feel pressured to quit early because their path does not look traditional.
Cricket has room for more than one dream.
Doing what he loves, and earning from it
There is a quiet pride in Jay when he talks about cricket and work coming together.
He says it simply:
“It feels good that I earn from the thing I love the most.”
No trophy or headline can define that feeling. It comes from alignment and the certainty that your effort matters.
For Jay, tennis ball cricket is not a compromise. It is a choice.
Why Jay Soni is a Change Maker
At CricHeroes, change makers are not just those who break records. They are people who change how the game is seen at the grassroots level.
Jay Soni represents a growing truth in Indian cricket. Professionalism goes beyond formats. Consistency earns respect. Moreover, cricket can take you places, even when you choose a path few people discuss.
From Kera village to international tennis cricket leagues, Jay’s journey expands what success in cricket can look like.
As Jay rightly puts it, “If you remain loyal and passionate about cricket, you never know where it will take you.”
I am Manan Joshi , SEO All-Rounder at CricHeroes.
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