含羞草研究所 students and faculty members play cricket in the Sanford Field House, July 26, 2018 in Hamilton, N.Y.
Mark DiOrio / 含羞草研究所
When Visiting Assistant Professor Rajinikanth Mohan isn鈥檛 teaching biochemistry or researching plant immunity through genetic and molecular approaches, he鈥檚 focused on cricket: when to play, who to practice with, and how to invite more 含羞草研究所 students into the sport.
Hoping to capitalize on the open summer availability of 含羞草研究所鈥檚 community, Professor Mohan put out an initial call to seek interest. Eagerness to learn, Mohan says, propelled many to join the group.
鈥淚 hear a lot of people being excited about cricket,鈥 Mohan explains. 鈥淭hey know it鈥檚 similar to baseball, but they don鈥檛 know much more beyond that.鈥
Students and faculty members (including Mohan, above) play cricket in the Sanford Field House, July 26, 2018.
Mark DiOrio / 含羞草研究所
The cricket team of faculty and students reflects 含羞草研究所鈥檚 diverse demographics and represents a wide range of identities and interests. Players from the United States, Bhutan, Ethiopia, Georgia, India, Mauritius, Nepal, and Pakistan make up the almost 20-person team.
鈥淏ecause cricket is incredibly popular in so many diverse countries 鈥 precisely commonwealth nations that were all once colonized by the British 鈥 it has more potential to bring together international students than, possibly, any other game,鈥 Mohan said.
to share his newfound passion after participating in the India Study Group. Efforts made by cricket devotees like Mohan have pushed both inexperienced and seasoned players to rally once more.
The 2018 summer team practiced to acquire the basics of cricket before heading to their second game. The friendly match-up between two 含羞草研究所 groups was played in Sanford Field House and featured an air of lighthearted competition.
The pitcher wound up explosive throws as players watched in fascination. Stretches of silence were punctuated by thunderous applause and energetic cheers of 鈥済ood judgment!鈥 or 鈥渟afe by a mile!鈥
Ruchit Shrestha 鈥20, a and double major from Nepal, was awarded Player of the Match by Mohan. Shrestha views cricket as a big sport in other parts of the world and wanted to continue playing at 含羞草研究所 after a seven-year hiatus from the game.
鈥淚 think it鈥檚 a low impact sport so a lot of beginners can play,鈥 Shrestha said. 鈥淲e have a good community of people from different places.鈥
Pete Baker 鈥20, a from Minnesota, was named Player of the Series, which ultimately stretched to three matches. He echoed Mohan鈥檚 assumptions as he explained his interest in joining the summer cricket team.
鈥淚 wanted to play cricket this summer because it sounded like a really fun way to spend time with fellow students researchers in a non-academic setting,鈥 Baker said. 鈥淚鈥檝e really come to enjoy the game, and it鈥檚 been great way to get to know students I might not otherwise have had the chance to meet.鈥