MELBOURNE — The Florida Tech Cricket Club, a diverse team composed of students from India, Pakistan, and the Caribbean, continues to grow as a hub for students passionate about the sport. In recent years, the club has made significant strides in its development, thanks to key figures like Venkata Satya Jaya Prakash Banka and the Brevard Caribbean American Sports and Cultural Association (BCASCA).
Banka, who earned his master’s degree in computer science from Florida Tech in 2023, has always had cricket as an integral part of his life.
“In India, we worship cricket,” said Banka. “Whoever the players are, they have a huge fanbase. We literally respect them as gods.”
When he arrived at Florida Tech, Banka found himself missing the sport. Alongside his teammates, he began playing again, purchasing their own gear out of pocket. Initially, the club had few members and lacked structure, but as interest grew, so did participation.
Florida Tech alumnus Mrudul Madaan also played a significant role in the Panther Cricket Club. Born in New Delhi, India, Madaan moved to Florida Tech for his bachelor’s degree after spending 18 years in his home country. Cricket was a part of his life from an early age. One of his earliest memories is playing in third grade during physical education periods before eventually joining his school’s team.
Growing up, Madaan played gully cricket, an improvised street version of the game. When he came to Florida Tech, he knew he wanted to continue playing. He became team captain after finding out about the team through a friend and led the club in multiple National College Cricket Association competitions. The team faced competition from players at Harvard as well as teams from Massachusetts, Canada, and Ryerson University.
Madaan cherishes memories of road trips to tournaments in a crowded 15-seater van with his cricket teammates.
“I thought that was really good, like singing in the hotel hallway, just having fun,” Madaan recalled.
The club experienced difficulties in obtaining suitable facilities because of limited public interest and safety worries even though the club expanded. However, the cricket community in Brevard remains active, allowing the team to practice at Fred Poppe Regional Park and Judge Alli B. Majeed Cricket Pavilion, which serves as BCASCA’s home field.
BCASCA has provided substantial support for the Florida Tech Cricket Club, offering discounts, subsidizing uniforms, and covering registration fees. The organization acknowledges the deeper values of the sport which people name the “gentleman’s game” because of its focus on discipline, integrity and sportsmanship.
Cricket extends beyond competitive play and serves as a foundation for building community ties. Cricket matches extend from three to nine hours which results in a friendly atmosphere among participants. At Judge Majeed Park, practices and games often feature cookouts, live DJs, and a welcoming environment, where players and staff embrace newcomers.
The future of cricket in the area looks strong. BCASCA is opening a Cricket Academy and will start coaching at local high schools in Brevard. As for Florida Tech Cricket, the club’s numbers are growing. Madaan mentions the potential that cricket has, citing the 2024 Men’s T20 World Cup as an example. This tournament was hosted by the United States across three venues: Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, Grand Prairie Stadium in Texas, and Central Broward Park in Florida, showing that cricket is on the rise in the country.
Cricket is a game to make a day out of, so if you find yourself free, reach out to the Florida Tech Cricket team, meet up with them and BCASCA at Judge Majeed Pavilion, and try a game of cricket. As Courtney Morris, president of BCASCA says, “Once you’re in the game, you are family.”