Warangal, Telangana, 19th of August, 2026 : For the past 15 years, Warangal-based Hari Saideepak has balanced his responsibilities as a temple priest with his ambition of pursuing professional cricket. Years of disciplined training, repeated selection trials and unwavering commitment have now earned the 30-year-old a place in The Gurukul, the flagship talent development programme of Super Cricket League 60 (SCL60).
Hari was shortlisted from more than five lakh registrations received from aspiring cricketers across India, marking a significant milestone in a journey defined by perseverance and determination.
“For the last 15 years, I carried a dream in my heart and a cricket bat in my hand. Year after year, my talent went unseen and my performances went unnoticed. It is painful when you know you have the ability but don’t get the opportunity to showcase it,” says Hari.
Hari has pursued cricket while managing a demanding daily routine. His day begins at 4:00 AM with fitness training before he reports to the temple to perform his daily responsibilities. In the evenings, he returns to the cricket ground for practice before coaching children from his community, a routine he has maintained for several years.
Limited financial resources meant professional coaching was not always accessible. Instead, Hari relied largely on self-training, studying professional matches, observing players and continually refining his skills through consistent practice. His pursuit of professional cricket also took him to selection trials across Hyderabad, Chennai, Bengaluru and Delhi, where he participated in nearly 45 to 46 trials over the years.
His perseverance eventually earned him opportunities to compete at the state, national and international levels. Hari represented the Telangana Tennis Ball Team in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, featured in the YSCL National Leather Ball Tournament and represented India at the International Tennis Cricket Federation (ITCF) Tournament in Pokhara, Nepal, in 2022. He has also captained his village, Chelpur, to multiple championship victories and established himself as both a fast bowler and batsman.
Despite these achievements, repeated unsuccessful selections delayed his progression into professional cricket. When he came across SCL60’s free nationwide trials through Instagram, Hari decided to register, viewing it as one final opportunity to pursue the dream he had carried for more than a decade.
“After waiting for 15 years, what made SCL60 truly special for me was the opportunity to simply go out and prove myself through my performance. That chance meant more to me than anything else,” he says.
Hari’s selection for The Gurukul has also opened a new chapter beyond his own playing career. He has been appointed as the Street60 City Franchise Owner for Warangal, bringing Sportons Media’s grassroots tennis-ball cricket property to the city to create structured opportunities for aspiring cricketers.
Part of Sportons Media’s growing ’60 Universe’, Street60 provides an organised competitive platform for tennis-ball cricketers aged 16 to 45, enabling local players to compete, develop their skills and gain wider recognition.
“For years, I was searching for someone who would believe in my ability. Today, I want to be part of creating those opportunities for others. Through Street60, I hope talented cricketers from Warangal and across Telangana get a platform to showcase their skills and believe that their dreams are possible too. If my journey inspires even one young player to keep going, I’ll consider that my biggest achievement,” Hari adds.
Hari’s journey reflects both the perseverance required to pursue professional cricket and the importance of creating structured pathways for grassroots talent. While The Gurukul provides him with an opportunity to continue his own cricketing journey, his role as the Street60 City Franchise Owner for Warangal allows him to contribute to the development of grassroots cricket and create opportunities for aspiring players across Telangana.
About SCL60
Super Cricket League 60 (SCL60) is a first-of-its-kind hybrid cricket league that brings aspiring amateur cricketers and cricket legends together on the same competitive platform. Developed by Sportons Media, SCL60 combines talent identification, player development, mentorship and professional competition to create a structured pathway for aspiring cricketers. The SCL60 journey includes nationwide trials, boot camps, The Gurukul, the player auction and the inaugural league, providing emerging talent with the opportunity to develop and compete alongside some of cricket’s most celebrated names.
About Street60
Street60 is a grassroots tennis-ball cricket property within Sportons Media’s growing ’60 Universe’, created to provide an organised competitive platform for tennis-ball cricketers aged 16 to 45. Through city-based franchises and local competitions, Street60 aims to identify grassroots talent, encourage participation and create greater opportunities for amateur cricketers to compete and be recognised.
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