From Cricket Pitch to Boardroom: Maharashtra Cricketer Shreyas Walekar Graduates with Honors
In a remarkable career transition, Shreyas Walekar, who once represented Maharashtra in prestigious cricket tournaments like the U-16 Vijay Merchant Trophy, U-19 Cooch Behar Trophy, and U-23 Col. CK Nayudu Trophy, has now completed his "second innings." On Saturday, he graduated from MICA with a Post Graduate Program (PGP) degree, proudly holding four medals for academic excellence.
A Deliberate Pivot to Management
"Several of my contemporaries are playing in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and other teams, but I made a conscious decision two years ago to pivot and pursue management," Walekar told TOI. He had already completed his BBA from Pune and was evaluating career options. "While I could have played a few more years as a cricketer, this degree is opening doors in the world of sports management."
He emphasized that the IPL and other tournaments have created new opportunities for sports professionals who understand both the game and business aspects. "I believe we will see more players transitioning towards management degrees, as they can speak 'managese' with number-crunching and PowerPoint presentations," he added.
Not Alone in This Journey
Walekar is not the only one making this shift. His batchmate, Adithya Raghuraman, similarly represented Tamil Nadu in several high-profile events before retiring from active play. "Sports management is a buzzword with so many activities happening. I was guided by mentors that a general degree is more versatile," Raghuraman said. "It provides longevity for players who have dedicated years to the game and deeply understand it."
Unusual Batch Composition at MICA
Prof Taral Pathak, head of admissions at MICA, noted that having two national-level cricketers in the graduating class is indeed unusual. "This class also includes a chartered accountant, an architect, and a doctor, making it a truly unique batch. While we are developing a specialized sports management course soon, we have previously hosted a few sportspersons, though they were always rare."
He highlighted a growing trend: "Sports is finally finding its place in the sun with multi-million-dollar brands in India, leading to more interest in management education among athletes."
Historical Context in Ahmedabad Institutions
City-based premier management institutes have a history with sportspersons. For instance, Geet Sethi, one of the first ace international sportspersons from Gujarat, holds an MBA from the BK School of Management. Experts at Nirma University and members of the Admission Committee for Professional Courses (ACPC) have noted state-level sportspersons making the cut in recent years.
At IIM Ahmedabad, sources indicate that over the years, sportspersons including golfers, footballers, and chess players have been admitted to both PGP and PGPX programs.
Broader Implications for Sports Careers
A city-based management consultant explained the broader trend: "Many sportspersons later transition into roles like commentary, team management, coaching, umpiring, and refereeing. A management degree gives them entry into a world where corporates are investing heavily in mega sports events and franchises. In such a scenario, a sportsperson with an MBA has significant opportunities."
This shift underscores how athletes are leveraging their on-field experience to build sustainable careers off the field, blending passion with professional acumen in India's evolving sports landscape.
