Iconic woman cricketer ties up with UAE academy to nurture young talent

Dubai: Indian cricket icon, Smriti Mandhana, has joined hands with a renowned UK-based cricket academy founded by former first-class cricketer Don Bhagawati to launch a cricket academy.

Called the City Cricket Academy, it was launched at the Dubai International Academy Al Barsha — with state-of-the-art infrastructure.

The launch was announced at a press conference hosted by Cricket Predicta.

Designed as a high-performance hub, the academy combines Don’s more than two decades of cricket development experience with Smriti’s contemporary insights from the international arena.

Don’s wife, a former England cricketer, also brings a wealth of experience and empathy to the mentoring process, making this academy a complete ecosystem for young talent.

Speaking at the press conference, Smriti reflected on the personal and professional values driving this unique and global initiative: “Don and his family have welcomed me like one of their own. The City Cricket Academy isn’t just a training facility — it’s a place where young cricketers are encouraged to dream big, think deeply, and grow as individuals. City Cricket Academy and Don’s team truly understand both the mindset of young aspirants and the challenges of elite-level cricket. For me, this is a heartfelt way to give back to the game that’s given me everything.”

Don Bhagawati praised Smriti’s rare and timely commitment, saying: “Smriti personifies the highest level of dedication and integrity in cricket. It’s heartening to see that even while performing at the highest level, she has the desire to give back. Since the first women’s match since the 1700s, this may well be one of the first times a global icon has stepped into a grassroots leadership role while still playing. We are incredibly proud of her and believe City Cricket Academy will enrich the game for generations to come.”

The academy aims to provide structured coaching programmes, mentorship from current and former players, and international exposure.

Cricket Predicta is the official strategic partner of this initiative.