When sophomore Omkar Zope steps his foot on the pitch, the cracking of leather on willow is not simply a game, but a legacy that began decades prior and thousands of miles away. For Zope, cricket represents more than just a hobby — it is a tradition rooted deeply in cultural connections that he now hopes will help the sport grow not just at Pitt but around the country.
“I’ve been playing since I was a couple of years old,” Zope said. “My dad grew up in India and played cricket through college. Ever since I was born, he has introduced me to the game. He gave me a bat and ball, and I just started swinging.”
Those swings would turn into participating in youth leagues in New Jersey, where Zope first experienced organized cricket. At that time, the sport lacked the structure and support system it has today.
“We just had one small league and a few national tournaments,” Zope said. “Now, there are academies, zonals, nationals — it’s a whole system. Kids today have so many opportunities.”
Those opportunities have led Zope to a historic season with the Cricket Club at Pitt. Last month, the Panthers claimed victory over Rutgers and captured the Mid-Atlantic Championship during a Collegiate Cricket League tournament in Virginia.
The event brought together the top collegiate club cricket teams from the region to compete, as the Panthers prevailed with a 7-1 record across the tournament. The championship win earned the team a spot at nationals in Texas this spring.
“It was huge for us,” Zope said. “The top three teams from each region move on, and now we get to compete against the best in the country.”
The achievement is about more than just winning a trophy — it is about creating a meaningful environment where something can be built.
“My main goal is creating a strong foundation for our club team and giving back to the community,” Zope said.
Sophomore Raahil Khan, one of Zope’s teammates and friends, said the experience of competing as a team transformed the group.
“I had a great time at CCL with the rest of the boys,” Khan said. “During the tournament, we grew a lot closer with each other, and we’re a very close-knit group now.”
Off the pitch, Zope continues to keep cricket a part of his life as he coaches kids in his hometown, passing down the lessons that his father taught him.
“I want to spread cricket and help it grow,” Zope said.
Although he has often been challenged on his journey, Zope continues to persist. As a math and statistics major, he has found himself struggling to juggle the sport he loves with the future he desires.
“Minor league cricket in the fall was tough,” Zope said. “I would be driving from Pitt to Philly and New York every weekend. The only way I managed was by breaking up my work every day and avoiding procrastination.”
Despite the hardships, his affinity for the game and what it brings to his life was never a question.
“My favorite part of playing is the friendships and memories,” Zope said. “Whether it is playing in Virginia or just hanging out with teammates, that is what makes it special.”
Looking ahead, Zope has short and long-term aspirations for where he wants the Cricket Club at Pitt to be, as well as the sport itself.
“In the short term, I want us to win nationals,” Zope said. “Long term, I hope we keep growing and competing in big tournaments. Cricket is spreading, and we want to be part of that.”
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