Is 19 Too Late to Be Cricket? Chase the Dream or Give Up?

Why This Question Hits So Many Young Players

Last weekend, I was grabbing coffee with my mate Arjun (he’s a total cricket nerd, like eats-statistics-for-breakfast level), and out of nowhere, he asked me: “Do you think 19 is too late to start cricket seriously?” Honestly, I hesitated. Part of me wanted to say “yeah, probably”, but another part whispered, “Wait… is it, really?”

If you’re here wondering the same thing, let’s break it down together.

Understanding How Cricket Development Works

The Usual Path: Starting Young

Most pro cricketers? They start when they’re kids. We’re talking like age 6, 8, sometimes even younger. Why? Because cricket’s technical — batting, bowling, fielding, strategy — it all takes years to sharpen. By the time they’re 19, many are already playing under-19 internationals or in state/provincial squads.

That said… it’s NOT an automatic “game over” if you missed that window. And here’s where things get interesting.

Late Bloomers Exist (and Sometimes Shine)

There’s always that one guy in cricket circles — the “late bloomer” — who picked up the game seriously at 17 or 19 and made something happen. I remember a club teammate, Ravi, who only started proper coaching at 20. Everyone laughed at first, said he’d never catch up. But man, he worked like a beast. Two years later, he was opening for the first XI. Did he go pro? No. But did he become a standout local player? Absolutely.

What You Need If You’re Starting at 19

Raw Talent Helps, But It’s Not Everything

Let’s be real: some people have insane natural hand-eye coordination, reflexes, or athleticism. If that’s you — great, you’ve got a head start. But even if you’re not the most naturally gifted, hard work matters so much. I’ve seen plenty of talented players fade because they lacked discipline, while grinders kept rising.

Coaching and Structured Training

If you’re 19 and serious, you can’t just play backyard cricket and hope to get noticed. You’ll need:

• A qualified coach

• Regular net sessions (minimum 3-4 times a week)

• Physical fitness work (cricket-specific — not just random gym lifts)

• Actual match experience, ideally in a competitive league

Oh, and patience. Loads of it. (Trust me, you’ll need it when you’re getting bowled out for a duck three games in a row…)

Real Challenges You’ll Face (and How to Handle Them)

Competing Against Years of Experience

This part honestly sucks. You’ll go up against guys your age who have ten years of match play behind them. It’s humbling, even demoralizing sometimes. I’ve been there — trying to break into a lineup where everyone’s ahead technically. But if you focus on your progress, not just comparison, you’ll stay sane.

Limited Pathways to Pro

Here’s where I shifted my view writing this: at first, I thought, “Yeah, anyone can make it if they grind hard enough.” But truth is, the pathways to professional cricket are brutally competitive. Without a solid underage or academy background, it’s tough to get on selectors’ radars.

BUT (and this is big) — club cricket, semi-pro leagues, coaching careers, umpiring — there’s a whole ecosystem beyond just “making it to the national team.” You can live and breathe cricket without being a headline name.

Final Thoughts (and Yeah, I Changed My Mind)

When Arjun first asked, I wanted to say “Man, it’s too late.” But after chewing on it, looking at examples, thinking back to guys like Ravi — I’ve realized: 19 is late, but it’s not dead-end late.

You won’t have the easy, paved path others had. You’ll need double the focus, double the hustle, and yeah, maybe you won’t make it to the pros — but you can still build a serious, fulfilling cricket life.

So, if you’re sitting there, wondering if you should bother? I say, if you love the game — go for it. Start now. Take it seriously. And if you’ve got a crazy story or question about starting cricket late, hit me up — I’d love to hear it (or maybe even feature it in a follow-up article!).

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