Gurugram: Former Australian cricket captain Michael Clarke has told Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini that he would like to set up a cricket academy in the state and has asked for a suitable piece of land in the National Capital Region at concessional rates.
A senior functionary from the Chief Minister’s Office confirmed that Clarke made a formal request for land during a meeting at the chief minister’s official residence in Chandigarh, Sant Kabir Kutir, on Monday, and that Saini has assured him the proposal would be examined for viability.
The two even played a short session of cricket. Clarke bowled a few gentle deliveries to Saini, who dispatched one with enough force for Clarke to raise both his hands in a theatrical signal of a six.
“I bowled one ball to him, and he hit me for a six…What an honour to meet the chief minister. His love and passion for sports is super important. The state has some great athletes,” Clarke said with a smile, in a video shared by the Haryana Information and Public Relations Department.
“They should keep doing what they are doing. But I think I can hopefully bring some good cricketers to the state. I plan to spend some more time in the state and hopefully set up my own cricket academy here,” he added.
Clarke, in India as a commentator for the Test series against Afghanistan, added that the arrangement would benefit both India and Australia: it could bring young Australian cricketers to Haryana while also creating pathways for Indian players to train in Australia.
Clarke, who led his country to its fifth One Day International World Cup title in 2015, also spoke warmly about India and its relationship with Australia, noting that the Indian Premier League (IPL) and international cricket had kept him closely connected to the country.
Saini posted a video of his meeting with Clarke on his X on Tuesday with a message, “Meeting former Australian cricket team captain @MClarke23 at Sant Kabir Kutir in Chandigarh and having the opportunity to play cricket with him was a wonderful experience.”
“His sportsmanship, humility, and deep respect for fellow players reflect the true spirit and beauty of the game. Moments like these are not only memorable, but also serve as a source of inspiration for young people to pursue excellence with dedication and grace,” he added.
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A Haryana tradition
If Saini agrees to Clarke’s request, it would not be the first time the state has leased land to a sporting icon with the expectation that an academy would follow, though the history of such arrangements is not without complications.
In 2008, then Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda announced that the Haryana government would provide land to Virender Sehwag for a cricket academy.
The land, over 23 acres, was allotted in Jhajjar district on lease. What came up on that land, however, was not primarily a cricket academy. Sehwag built the campus as a school and sports academy, following his late father’s ambition to create an institution where children could study, stay, and play.
A section of local residents and an advocate challenged the arrangement in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, arguing that the panchayat had passed a resolution for a sports academy, not a school charging hefty fees. The petition was dismissed on grounds of locus standi.
The Hooda-era generosity was not limited to Sehwag. The Haryana government also allotted five acres of land to wrestler Sushil Kumar for a wrestling academy and three acres to boxer Vijender Singh for a boxing academy, both at the Motilal Nehru School of Sports in Rai near Sonepat on lease.
Who is Michael Clarke?
Known throughout his playing career as “Pup”, Clarke (45) is one of Australia’s most accomplished batsmen.
He accumulated 8,643 Test runs with an average of just under 50, hitting 28 centuries across 115 Tests including a career best of 329 not out. In ODIs, he scored 7,981 runs in 245 matches, giving him a combined tally of 36 international hundreds across formats.
His leadership record was equally distinguished. Under Clarke, Australia beat England 5-0 in the 2013-14 Ashes and regained the number one Test ranking. He then steered the side to lift the 2015 World Cup at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, scoring 74 in the final.
Clarke’s IPL experience was brief. He played just one season for Pune Warriors India in 2012, appearing in six matches and scoring 98 runs. Since retirement, he has built a second career in commentary and broadcasting.