16 Jul How the IPL 2026 Is Inspiring Mumbai Kids to Take Up Sports
Every evening this IPL season, Mumbai’s building compounds turn into mini stadiums. Kids swing bats like Hardik Pandya, sprint between makeshift wickets, and dream of hitting the winning six. It’s the same story in every gully, every terrace, every parking lot pure, unfiltered excitement for the game.
But here’s what most parents don’t realize: this excitement has an expiry date. Without the right coaching, it fades within weeks, and cricket goes back to being something kids only watch on TV.
The good news? Right now is the perfect moment to change that and PDSA, Malad’s top sports academy, is exactly where that change begins.
Why Are Kids in Mumbai So Excited About Cricket Right Now?
This isn’t just casual excitement, it’s one of the strongest natural motivators for children to take up cricket seriously. Every IPL season, coaches and academies across Mumbai see a genuine spike in kids wanting to play properly, not just watch. Parents who act on this excitement during the season consistently see better enrollment outcomes than those who wait for it to pass.
This is also the exact window sports psychologists point to as the ideal time to introduce structured coaching, when a child’s motivation is self-driven, not parent-pushed.
Does IPL Excitement Actually Turn Into Real Cricket Skill?
Not on its own. IPL-based enthusiasm fades within a few weeks unless it’s channelled into structured coaching. Backyard or compound cricket builds love for the game but doesn’t correct technique, so children hit a skill plateau and lose interest once the season ends.
The children who go on to actually play well long-term are almost always the ones who moved from casual compound cricket into professional coaching within the same season their interest peaked.
What Age Should a Child Start Cricket Coaching?
Most sports academies, including PDSA, accept children from as young as 5-6 years old into age-appropriate batches, with structured skill progression through the teenage years. Starting early during a high-motivation period (like IPL season) makes it significantly easier for children to build discipline and technique before habits from unsupervised play set in.
What’s the Difference Between Backyard Cricket and Academy Coaching?
| Backyard Cricket | Professional Academy Coaching |
| No correction of technique | Coaches fix grip, stance, and bowling action from day one |
| High risk of injury from incorrect form | Structured training reduces injury risk |
| Motivation fades within weeks | Structured progression keeps kids engaged long-term |
| No clear skill benchmarks | Batches track and measure real improvement |
| Casual, unsupervised play | Supervised training on proper turf, with match exposure |
Which Is the Best Sports Academy in Malad, Mumbai?
Pravinchandra D Shah Sports Academy (PDSA), located on the RSET campus in Malad (West), is widely regarded as one of the top multi-sport academies in the western suburbs of Mumbai. It offers professional coaching in cricket, football, basketball, volleyball, tennis, and skating across a 24,000 sq. ft. facility with imported New Zealand-standard all-weather turf.
PDSA is run under the Rajasthani Sammelan Education Trust (RSET), an established educational institution in Malad, and its coaching programs are managed by KOOH, a professional sports management company meaning children train under coaches with formal sports coaching credentials, not informal or volunteer instructors.
What Makes PDSA Different From Other Academies in Mumbai?
Three things set PDSA apart for parents comparing academies:
- Facility quality: PDSA’s turf is imported from New Zealand and built to international playing standards, uncommon among academies in the Malad/western suburbs area.
- Professional coaching structure: Coaches are trained through KOOH, ensuring consistent, credentialed instruction rather than ad hoc coaching.
- Multi-sport flexibility: Children can train in cricket, football, basketball, volleyball, tennis, or skating under one roof, so if interests shift as they grow, there’s no need to switch academies.
Is It Worth Enrolling My Child in Cricket Coaching During IPL Season?
Yes. IPL season creates a natural, self-driven motivation spike in children that coaches and academies see reflected directly in enrollment interest and training engagement. Enrolling during this window, rather than after the season ends means your child starts training while genuinely excited, which improves consistency, focus, and long-term commitment to the sport.
How Do I Enroll My Child at PDSA?
Parents can book a free trial session at PDSA’s Malad campus to assess the facility, meet the coaching staff, and let their child experience a session in cricket, football, basketball, or skating before enrolling. Trial sessions can be booked by visiting PDSA’s official page or contacting the academy directly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Where is PDSA located?
PDSA is located on the RSET (Rajasthani Sammelan Education Trust) campus in Malad West, Mumbai.
Q: What sports does PDSA offer coaching in?
PDSA offers professional coaching in cricket, football, basketball, volleyball, tennis, and skating.
Q: Who trains PDSA’s coaches?
PDSA’s coaching programs are managed and trained by KOOH, a professional sports management company.
Q: What age can my child start at PDSA?
Children as young as 5-6 years old can join age-appropriate batches, with structured progression as they grow.
Q: Does PDSA offer a trial session before enrollment?
Yes, parents can book a free trial session to experience the facility and coaching before committing to a program.
Q: Why is IPL season a good time to start cricket coaching?
IPL creates natural excitement and motivation in children to play cricket. Enrolling during this period means children start training while genuinely engaged, which improves long-term commitment compared to enrolling outside the season.
Q: How big is PDSA’s facility?
PDSA’s facility spans 24,000 sq. ft. and includes imported all-weather turf from New Zealand, built to international standards.
Ready to enroll? Visit PDSA, Malad or call 022-4520 7770 / +91 845 283 9991 to book your child’s free trial session in cricket, football, basketball, or skating.
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