U of T Alum Leads Canadian Cricket Team to World Cup Upset
TORONTO, ON - U of T alumnus Nitish Kumar captained the Canadian national cricket team to a stunning victory over Ireland at the recent Cricket World Cup, marking a high point for the sport in Canada. Kumar’s journey from playing “tape ball” cricket on the streets of Pakistan to leading his country on the world stage began with amateur leagues while studying at UTSC.
Kumar explained the origins of his cricket passion, noting that as a child in Pakistan, players used tennis balls wrapped in electrical tape to avoid damaging property. Upon arriving in canada, he found competitive leagues but limited financial opportunities. He balanced corporate jobs with pursuing cricket tours,transitioning to a full-time cricket career only in 2018 when professional leagues and the national team began offering sufficient financial support.
During his time at U of T, Kumar participated in amateur leagues, an indoor tennis ball league in the old gym, intramurals, and played on a select U of T team competing in university tournaments, maintaining connections with teammates to this day.
“It was a tremendous honor-playing in a World Cup was a dream come true, and captaining Canada made it even more special,” Kumar said of his World Cup experience. He described the win against Ireland as “a major upset and a proud moment for the whole Canadian cricket fraternity.”
Kumar emphasized the mental and physical demands of the sport, stating, “Cricket demands athleticism and technical skill, but the hardest parts are consistency and mental toughness…being able to bounce back after a poor performance is the real test.”
Looking ahead, Kumar believes that increased investment in infrastructure, including more international-standard cricket grounds and stadiums – citing Brampton’s year-round facility as a positive step – along with improved coaching and mentorship, are crucial for growing the sport in Canada.
Kumar cites Wasim Akram as his cricket hero and is known by teammates as “Mr. Dependable.” Outside of cricket, he enjoys playing badminton.