Atharva Ankolekar was born on 26 September 2000 in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. He is an exciting Indian cricketer known for his left-arm orthodox spin bowling and lower-order batting. His journey from the modest background to the national level is a testament to his resiliency and dedication.
Atharva was born into a lower-middle-class family. Cricket was introduced to him in childhood. He used to take Atharva to see Mumbai’s local club matches of the Kanga League with Vinod Ankolekar. Vinod was a local cricketer and had also worked for Mumbai’s electricity department. However, he fell a victim to malaria and dengue, and breathed his last in 2010. To fend for her son’s passion for cricket, Atharva’s mother, Vaidehi used to work as a private tutor and then even as a conductor for Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport.
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This support from his mother always made him stand firm to achieve his cricketing dreams. Atharva’s cricketing talent had surfaced during his school years in Parle Tilak Vidyalaya English Medium School, Vile Parle.
He then developed his cricketing skills at the MIG Cricket Club. His dedication and relentless effort at the club caught the eyes of selectors. He first got a breakthrough in 2019 when he was selected to the India Under-19 team for the Asia Cup. In the final against Bangladesh, he produced a match-winning performance, taking 5 wickets for 28 runs.
It helped India win the game, and he ended up as the highest wicket-taker in the tournament. Atharva has been building on this success as he represented India in the 2020 Under-19 World Cup. He didn’t get to play the initial matches but made an impact in the quarterfinal against Australia, scoring a vital 55 runs off 54 balls for India.
Atharva transitioned into senior cricket, with Twenty20 debut for Mumbai coming in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy on 13 January 2021, and List A on February 25, 2021, in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. For long, he has been a staple player in domestic cricket, known for his stable performance as an all-rounder.
Atharva performed outstandingly for Mumbai in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy December 2024 when it clinched its title after beating the opponent’s side through some extraordinary fielding and also good batting. The moment was memorable while catching against Baroda for his excellent fielding.
Atharva Ankolekar’s journey from a young boy with a dream to a key player in Indian cricket exemplifies his determination and the sacrifices of his family. His story continues to inspire aspiring cricketers, highlighting the power of perseverance and passion in overcoming adversity.