UKZN Student Batting and Bowling Up a Storm

UKZN Student Batting and Bowling Up a Storm

At just 19 years old, Romashan Soma Pillay is fast making his mark in the cricketing world – he plays as an all-rounder for South Africa’s under-19 cricket team and for the Dolphins!

Pillay’s love for the game was sparked watching cricket with his grandpa and dad, both avid supporters. With boundless energy demanding an outlet, his mother enrolled him at the Amanzimtoti Cricket Club.

‘From there my love for and obsession with cricket grew. I used to make my granny and mum throw a soft ball at me for days on end. At the age of 9, I made the Durban South U11 team and aged 11 I captained the KwaZulu-Natal U11 squad and was part of the Chatsworth Hub and Regional Performance Centre (RPC) under the watchful eye of Desigan Reddy,’ he said.

Pillay attended Clifton College until Grade 10 and then moved to Westville Boys High. ‘That is where I met my coach, Wayne Scott. With the guidance of Mr Reddy, Mr Scott and Mr Kenneth Mafunga, the current UKZN coach, I was able to play the game in the correct spirit and to the best of my abilities.’

Representing South Africa has been a dream come true for Pillay, who grew up in Amanzimtoti on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast. ‘Playing for my country is a huge honour and privilege. I’ve dreamed about representing the SA U19 side since I was 13. To finally realise my dream is incredible. Singing the national anthem and playing for something more than yourself is a feeling that cannot be described.

‘The highlight in my SA U19 career was definitely the World Cup in South Africa earlier this year. It was an unbelievable experience to play in front of the home crowds. Memories that we made on and off the field will last a lifetime.’

Batting anywhere between 3 and 7 and bowling fast medium he trains everyday with the Hollywoodbets Dolphins professional team as he is a contracted player. ‘My training includes gym, fielding, batting and bowling. My days start early and end late. It may seem stressful, but I’m loving the process. I also play club matches on weekends for the University team,’ he said.

Pillay looks up to South African cricket legend Jacques Kallis, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest of all time. ‘He is the best all-rounder ever to play the game. His overall demeanour and ability as a cricketer is very inspiring,’ he said.

The young cricketer, who holds a Sports Scholarship allowing him to read for a BSc Computer Science and Information Technology degree on UKZN’s Westville campus, chose UKZN as it’s close to home and his family members are alumni of the University. ‘My uncle, aunties and dad all attended UKZN and I was eager to follow suit. They made so many memories both in and out of the lecture rooms. I love the environment at UKZN and I am able to still enjoy home comforts while pursuing my dream. My uncle, Mr Anand Pillay, who is the director and lead computer scientist of his company DRAM, has been an inspiration for me – I aim to follow in his footsteps,’ he said.

So how does he plan to juggle being a world-class cricketer and reading for a degree? ‘I understand it’s going to be tough but I just want to take it day by day. I have a very good support structure in my mum, dad and sister. They are very encouraging and keep me grounded. They are always there for me and I believe with them by my side, I will be able to accomplish my dreams and aspirations of becoming a computer scientist and a cricketer.’

‘I live with my parents, grandpa and granny. My mum (Pregashini) is a medical researcher and my rock. My dad (Somasundram) – my “life guru” – is a Professor of Medicine at UKZN’s Medical School and works at King Edward VIII Hospital in Durban. I have one sibling and my best friend Davashni Pillay. She is studying in Bloemfontein pursuing her dream of becoming a doctor.

‘I would like to thank my mum, dad and sister for always being there for me. Along with that I want to thank my elite friends for always having my back and creating so much enjoyable banter. Thanks also to my coaches for helping me become the best cricketer I can possibly be.’

Where to next for this sports star in the making? ‘My future plans are to finish my computer science degree and then work for my uncle’s company. Regarding cricket, I want to consolidate my spot on the Dolphins team and go on to play test cricket for the Proteas and make my parents proud!’

Words: Raylene Captain-Hasthibeer
Photographs: Supplied