UKZN STUDENT PILLAY BATTING AND BOWLING UP A STORM
South Africa’s under-19 cricket team and Dolphins all-rounder Romashan Soma Pillay (pictured) is making his mark in the cricketing world.
Pillay’s love for cricket was sparked while watching the game with his father and grandfather, both avid supporters. With boundless energy demanding an outlet, his mother enrolled him at the Amanzimtoti Cricket Club.
“... At the age of nine, 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 (19) attended Clifton College until Grade 10. He 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. “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 ...
“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 three and seven, and bowling fast medium, Pillay trains everyday with the Hollywoodbets Dolphins professional team as he is a contracted player.
Pillay admires SA 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 ...” 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,” he added.
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!”
— Supplied.