Harvansh Singh Pangalia, India’s Under-19 wicketkeeper-batsman, is making waves in the cricket world these days.
This 18-year-old is in the news for scoring 103 runs off 52 balls in a practice match against England.
But his story doesn’t stop at cricket, it has the magic of Spider-Man and a dialogue that became the mantra of his life.
Harvansh was born in Gandhidham, Gujarat. His father Damandeep Singh and uncle Kunwarjit Singh have both been wicketkeepers. But Harvansh’s life has not been easy.
His father moved to Canada in 2017, where he is a truck driver. Living with his mother in Gandhidham, Harvansh nurtured his dream of cricket.
He says, “Mummy left a lot for me, so that I could fulfill my dreams.”
Harvansh’s strength How did he become Spider-Man?
Harvansh loves Marvel movies, especially Toby Maguire’s Spider-Man 2.
There is a dialogue in it, when Dr. Octo Octavius says to Peter Parker, “You are talented, but lazy.”
Peter replies, “I am trying to do better.”
This line became Harvansh’s mantra. He says, “Hearing the same dialogue after 20 years gave me goosebumps.”
Harvansh scored a century with 9 sixes against England’s Young Lions XI. Initially, he was struggling with just 13 runs off 23 balls. Then suddenly something clicked.
He laughs and says, “Don’t know what happened, just Mata aa gayi!”
His innings has gone viral on social media, and people are calling him India’s next batting sensation.
Harvansh gets inspiration from Yuvraj Singh’s mentality and Kobe Bryant’s hard work.
He says, “After a level, it’s not skills that matter, but mentality.”
His dream is to play Test cricket because Virat Kohli said, “Only Test cricket brings respect.” He has also promised to bring his father back to India.
Harvansh’s friend Vaibhav Suryavanshi and Under-19 captain Ayush Mhatre have already shone in the IPL. But Harvansh is focused on his path. He says,
“Apna Time Ayega!”
