Cricket Australia’s 2024–25 census has revealed a landmark achievement: 103,232 South Asian Australians registered for cricket participation this season, surpassing the strategic target of 100,000 participants set for 2027 — an incredible milestone reached two years early.
For the sixth consecutive season, Singh was the most common surname among registered players, followed by Patel, Smith, Sharma, and Williams — a clear reflection of the community’s growing presence in Australian cricket.
Pathway Success Stories
Recent selections in the Australian cricket pathway further highlight this progress:
- Jason Sangha and Niv Krishna toured the MRF Academy in Chennai for a 13-day program with the Australia Men’s development squad.
- Tanveer Sangha and Jason Sangha featured in the Australia A vs Sri Lanka A men’s series in Darwin, 2025.
- Three Indian-origin players — Aryan Sharma, John James, and Yash Deshmukh — were named in the Australia Men’s U19 squad for the upcoming series against India.
- Three Indian-origin girls — Hasrat Gill, Samara Dulvin, and Ribya Syan — were selected for Australia’s U19 women’s squad for a tri-series last year.
Impact of the Multicultural Action Plan
This success comes as part of Cricket Australia’s Multicultural Action Plan, which focuses on breaking down barriers, building trust, and strengthening community engagement. The plan aims to create inclusive pathways and boost visibility for multicultural talent across all levels of the sport.
Youth Growth on the Rise
The growth has been particularly strong among young players:
- Boys (5–12 years): +7% to 21,914
- Girls (5–12 years): +8% to 5,346
- In the Woolworths Cricket Blast program, South Asian girls saw an 11% rise to 4,909, while boys grew 5% to 12,109.
These increases reflect strong family engagement and an early love for the game in the community.
Strong Representation in Elite Pathways
South Asian Australians now make up 17% of juniors in Cricket Australia’s talent pathways. Among under-12s in national talent development programs, a remarkable 43% of boys and 25% of girls are of South Asian heritage — an extraordinary achievement given the community represents just 6% of Australia’s total population.
Female Participation Continues to Climb
Female cricket participation grew 6% nationally, with girls in Cricket Blast programs rising 11%. South Asian girls are playing a key role in this momentum, supported by inclusive programs and relatable role models.
National Participation Figures
Overall cricket participation in Australia reached 669,642 this season:
- Club cricket: 348,221 (+growth)
- School competitions: 95,818 (stable)
