From Mumbai maidans to coaching Japan: Vinay's cricket journey comes full circle

From Mumbai maidans to coaching Japan: Vinay Iyer's cricket journey comes full circle

Vinay Iyer's cricketing journey has taken him from the dusty maidans of Mumbai to the Asian Games, where the 41-year-old will lead Japan's women's team against India in the quarter-finals.

Vinay Iyer once dreamed of playing at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium alongside the likes of Rohit Sharma and Cheteshwar Pujara. On Friday, the former Mumbai club cricketer will instead find himself in the dugout, coaching Japan against India at the Asian Games.

The 41-year-old is the head coach of Japan's women's cricket team, completing an unlikely journey that began on Mumbai's maidans and took him to Japan through his professional career.

"It will be a great occasion, for sure. Everyone is excited and, hopefully, we can give them a good fight," Vinay told the Japan Cricket Association's YouTube channel.

Iyer moved to Japan in 2013 on a work visa through his employer, diamond trading company Rosy Blue. More than a decade later, his cricketing journey has taken him to one of the biggest stages of his career.

Yet his connection with Mumbai remains strong.

"I used to always dream of playing once in the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. I got a chance eventually. I was picked for an Under-19 zonal match (West Zone) and the opposition had Cheteshwar Pujara and Rohit Sharma.

"They were in the Under-17 category then. Even then, people were saying that Pujara will be the next Rahul Dravid. The way he batted, it was like I have so many things to learn from this guy. He was smacking everyone.

"Even Rohit was hitting and he used to hit sixes outside the stadium. So that was one highlight match, which I really remember. Happy to have played against these two guys," Vinay recalled.

Iyer credits Mumbai's maidans for laying the foundation of his cricketing career.

"Where I started near my home, that was called the Central Maidan. It's a bit far from proper Mumbai. Then we moved on to the proper maidans in Mumbai.

"Then I played for different clubs, different tournaments like the Kanga League, different coaches, etc. But that time everything for me was in those maidans," he said.

His move to Japan did not mark the end of his playing career. Instead, it opened a new chapter.

Iyer enjoyed a standout season in the Japan Cricket League with Max CC, winning the Player of the Year award in 2016. He went on to win the Tokai Regional Japan Cup with the Kawasaki Knight Riders in 2020 and was named the MVP of the Japan Premier League the following year.

Coaching soon became the next step in his cricketing journey.

'SEVERAL CHALLENGES'

Developing cricket in Japan has brought a different set of challenges, with Iyer having to work with limited facilities and fewer opportunities for regular camps.

"There were several challenges. Here a lot of cricket is still being played on mat wickets and regular camps are still rare. But kids here train with enthusiasm and they are ready to come to ground even very early in the morning, like 6 am.

"They don't have many facilities but everyone is happy and excited. That's what you look ahead as a coach," he said.

Iyer has also settled into life in Japan, although he admits he has not acquired a taste for one of the country's most famous foods.

"Yes, the people and the food over here. It's very nice. If anyone comes to Japan I will tell them to visit Mount Fuji. It's quite beautiful.

"Yakitori is my favourite food but I am yet to find a liking for sushi. I know it is not a nice answer. Many people love it but I am not able to like it."

One Japanese word, however, has become central to his life.

"But we use the word Gambaro (Japanese for let's do our best) quite often on a cricket field, and it has been the motto of my life too here in Japan," he said.

Now, Iyer will have the chance to put that motto into practice when Japan face a star-studded India in the women's quarter-final at the Asian Games.