Shreyas Kadam: Cricket Journey, Love Story & Life Challenges

Early Life & Cricketing Beginnings

• 🏏 Started with carrom at state level before transitioning to cricket, inspired by his brother's trophy wins.
• 🏟️ Initially a fielder, he practiced early to get batting chances, developing his six-hitting ability.
• 🚁 Earned the nickname "Helicopter Boy" after hitting a six against Bhavesh Pawar, a comparison made by commentator Chandrakant Shette to Omkar Desai.

Love Story & Educational Journey

• ❤️ Met his wife Nikita in college (Government Polytechnic College, Bandra), describing it as "love at first sight."
• 🎓 Proposed to Nikita at Dadar Station in 2013 during their diploma years, continuing their relationship through their degree.
• 💰 Funded his engineering degree (B.Tech) entirely through cricket earnings, emphasizing the importance of education alongside sports.

Balancing Career & Cricket

• 💼 Faced a dilemma between pursuing a job and cricket, eventually deciding to pursue cricket full-time after five years of working.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Received immense support from his father, friends, and even his bosses at companies like Rosana Instruments and US Power, who encouraged his cricketing passion.
• ✈️ Described a hectic schedule balancing job travel and cricket, which ultimately led to his decision to prioritize cricket.

International Cricket Experiences

• 🇦🇪 Played in Sharjah, hitting three sixes against fast Pakistani bowler Zahir Kalia, an "unexpected achievement."
• 🇵🇰 Noted the friendliness and supportiveness of Pakistani players, contrasting with common perceptions and highlighting their hospitality.
• 🏏 Highlighted the intensity of Pakistani bowlers like Zahid Kurnal, who bowl at speeds of 150+ km/h, making them challenging to face.

ISPL Challenges & Key Learnings

• 🏟️ Described ISPL as a huge platform with immense pressure, where only performance matters, not a player's reputation.
• 🤯 Recalled the infamous wide ball incident against Bhavesh Pawar in ISPL, where he misjudged a crucial delivery, leading to self-frustration and public criticism.
• 🧠 Emphasized the importance of mental strength and mind-reading in cricket, crucial for both batsmen and bowlers to succeed at a professional level.

Fitness, Friendships & Future Goals

• 💪 Maintains fitness by avoiding sweets, doing 2000 skips daily, and basic gym exercises like Surya Namaskar and pull-ups.
• 🤝 Values his long-standing friendship with Fardeen Kazi, whom he considers his best buddy in cricket, and Rahul Valmiki for sponsor talks.
• 🏨 Aims to set up his own hotel business in the future, a dream inspired by his father's past venture, alongside continued cricketing success.
• 💸 Stressed the importance of demanding upfront payment from sponsors due to past experiences of unpaid dues, now prioritizing financial security.