Cricmax Connecticut
CricMax Connecticut Services
level 1
Beginner - Fun n Learn Cricket
Level 1 is designed to introduce cricket to a beginner player in a fun setting and familiarize them with the fundamentals of the game. During Level 1 coaching, participants will work on their basic fitness abilities and fundamental cricket drills. They will learn and practice cricket’s three primary roles: batting, bowling, and fielding.
Register your child for Level 1 Cricket Coaching at CricMax – Limited Spots Available
Who is Level 1 for?
- Beginners with minimum or no cricket experience
- Ages 5 to 13 years
What will they learn?
Participants will learn the basic cricket techniques and fundamental drills for physical fitness, including:
- Fitness: Basic running and stretching exercises
- Batting: Stance, forward defense, back foot defense
- Bowling: Grip of the ball and bowling action - standing and run-up
- Fielding: Basic catching, basic throwing
How will they learn?
Each participant will be guided through introductory cricket exercises using softballs and bats. Session duration and frequency: 8 weeks, meeting for practice once a week. Typical number of students: 14 students per batch. Coaches to student ratio: 7 students to 1 coach.
level 2
Intermediate - Play n Enjoy Cricket
Level 2 is designed to help players master the fundamental techniques of batting, bowling, and fielding. At Level 2, participants train with professional intensity and are required to exhibit precision and discipline in executing the fundamentals of the game. They play cricket matches with hard tennis and leather balls, replicating real-game conditions during their practice sessions.
Register your child for Level 2 Cricket Coaching at CricMax – Limited Spots Available
Who is Level 2 for?
- Players who want to advance their cricket game after completing level
- Ages under 13 years old
What will they learn?
During Level 2, participants will learn intermediary cricket exercises and master the fundamentals, including:
- Fitness: Running and stretching exercises, core strengthening exercises, mini hurdles.
- Batting: Level 1 batting drills, front foot drives, back foot drives, running between the wickets.
- Bowling: Complete bowling action, proper run up, follow through, bowling straight stump to stump.
- Fielding: Catching, aiming and throwing at the stumps, stopping the ball, fielding start.
- Wicket Keeping: Basics for interested participants.
How will they learn?
During Level 2, participants will practice drills using hard leather balls in nearly game-like conditions to get a feel for the game and its dynamics. Session duration and frequency: 12 weeks, meeting for practice twice a week. Typical number of students: 14 students per batch. Coaches to student ratio: 7 students to 1 coach.
level 3
Professional - Play Real Cricket
Level 3 is designed for serious cricket players who want to take their batting, bowling and fielding skills to the next level. In Level 3, participants get to experience the excitement of competitive cricket by playing in actual matches. They are required to apply all the skills acquired in Levels 1 and 2 in an intense and competitive setting.
Register your child for Level 3 Cricket Coaching at CricMax – Limited Spots Available
Who is Level 3 for?
- Advanced cricketers who want to play competitive cricket
- Ages 13 and above
What will they learn?
During Level 3, participants will take their overall cricket and fitness ability to the next level by mastering the following:
- Fitness: All kinds of dynamic exercises.
- Batting: Batting drills, pull shot / hook shot, cuts, sweep shot, batting approach, shot selection.
- Bowling: Bowling drills, increasing accuracy, spin bowling, basic swing bowling.
- Fielding:High catches / slip catches, attacking and defensive fielding, slides.
- Wicket Keeping:Advanced techniques for participants who want to pursue cricket.
- Game:Game mentality, field placement/ field position, rulesof the game.
How will they learn?
In Level 3, participants will improve their skills, techniques, and fitness abilities through real-life competitive matches. They will go through rigorous exercise regimens to ensure cricket match fitness and injury avoidance. Session duration and frequency: 6 months, meeting for practice twice a week. Typical number of students: 14 students per batch. Coaches to student ratio: 7 students to 1 coach.
Meet CricMax Coaches
As a former Indian international cricketer, representing Team India, Ashok Parel has coached several professional domestic teams in India, including the successful Gujarat Ranji Team. Transitioning to CricMax, Ashok has established himself as a highly successful leader, guiding various teams. He possesses a unique talent for instilling his love and enthusiasm for cricket in the young cricketers he mentors.
Since his move to the United States, Ashok Patel has made a notable impact on the cricketing scene, particularly in the New Jersey area. He has achieved remarkable success with various CricMax squads, securing victories in prominent tournaments such as the U16 CricMax tournament in 2012 and the NATA youth tournament with the U13 team in 2013. Recently, he led a talented group of U15 cricketers to claim the prestigious NATA youth tournament title, further solidifying his reputation as a highly accomplished coach.
Career Milestones of Coach Ashok Patel:
– Coach for the Gujarat Cricket Association
– Head Coach of the Associate Bank Cricket Team
– Head Coach for CricMax Cricket Academy
Birju Pathak has over 15 years of playing experience in India. He represented the West Zone in U19 matches and played for the Saurashtra Cricket Association in the U19 Cooch Behar Trophy. From 1998 to 2003, he was a part of the Saurashtra Cricket Association squad in the Ranji Trophy, India’s premier domestic first-class cricket championship.
His coaching journey began in 2008 as an Assistant Coach at St. Kabir School, Ahmedabad, where he served until 2010. He then worked as a Cricket Coach at the Cricket Academy in Bhavnagar (Gujarat, India) from 2011 to 2017, followed by a tenure as Head Coach at Starz Club until 2022. With over 15 years of coaching experience across various academies, he has played a crucial role in player development.
In 2023, he completed professional training for Level 2 coaching at Coaching Beyond, an elite institute led by Mr. Ravi Shastri and former Indian bowling coach B. Arun.
Certifications:
– BCCI Level 1 – September 2021
-Level 2 – March 2023
Coach Shailesh Nakashe is one of the most accomplished youth cricket coaches in the USA, bringing over 15 years of playing and coaching experience to Cricmax Cricket Academy.
A former Mumbai U19 and top-division cricketer, Shailesh founded Warriors Cricket Club in Mumbai in 2012, where he not only developed talented young cricketers but also worked extensively with underprivileged children, using cricket as a tool to inspire and transform lives.
Since moving to the United States in 2022, Shailesh has established himself as one of the country’s leading youth coaches. He is an ICC Level Certified Coach and has successfully coached players across multiple age groups, helping them achieve success at state, regional, and national levels.
His coaching achievements include:
* Head Coach of the New Jersey U15 State Team, leading the team to back-to-back USA Cricket U15 National Championships.
* Selector for multiple USA Cricket pathway programs, including New Jersey and Washington DC.
* Chief Selector for the Washington DC Hub.
* Coach of several players who have progressed to USA Cricket regional and national pathway programs.
Shailesh is known for his high-performance coaching philosophy that combines technical excellence, match awareness, fitness, discipline, and mental toughness. His player-first approach emphasizes long-term development while creating an environment where young cricketers enjoy the game and build confidence both on and off the field.
Duane Basson is a highly experienced and accomplished cricketer with more than 20 years of professional cricketing experience for South Africa, including representing the country at the 2013 indoor cricket World Cup. Duane’s skills and experience are not limited to his playing career, as he has also amassed over 10 years of experience in cricket-based skill training for private and group coaching.
This valuable experience has allowed Duane to share his knowledge and expertise with aspiring cricketers and help them improve their skills and techniques. With his extensive knowledge of the sport and passion for coaching, Duane is a valuable asset to the cricketing community and has undoubtedly played a significant role in developing young cricketers into skilled players.
Viraj Desai is a passionate cricket coach and player from NJ with 4+ years of coaching at Cricmax and 18 years of playing experience, including Minor League Cricket.
To enhance sports science and cricket fitness, Viraj holds ISSA certifications in Personal Training, Sports Nutrition, Strength & Conditioning, and Performance Enhancement, enabling him to support young cricketers in exercise psychology, biomechanics, nutrition, and injury prevention.
Committed to developing athletes, he focuses on strength, speed, agility, recovery, and injury prevention. Viraj also holds CPR/AED training and multiple NFHS certifications in concussion management, heat illness prevention, and student protection, ensuring a safe and professional coaching environment that instills sportsmanship and integrity.
Certifications:
-Earned Brown Badge with A Grade in Foundation Course for Cricket Coaches (Nov 2025) by Coaching Beyond founded by Ravi Shastri
-ISSA Certified Personal Trainer, Sports Nutritionist, Performance Enhancement, Strengh and Conditioning Coach
-ISSA Certified CRP/AED
-ICC Coaching Course Level 1
-ICC Coaching Foundation Certificate
-USA Cricket Level 1: Umpiring Fundamentals
Niraj Paranjpe is a cricket veteran with over 21 years of playing experience under his belt, including representing Maharashtra U-16. He has played in various cities across the US, such as Atlanta, St. Louis, and NJ, and has won the inaugural Phase 1 of the United States Premiere League, as well as participated in the American Premiere League.
Additionally, Niraj has ventured into coaching, with 1.5 years of coaching experience at Cricmax and 6 months at Criclanes. He has also officiated as an umpire in the 2021 EYCL tournament. As the founder and president of Mumbai Gymkhana, one of the most renowned cricket clubs in NJ, Niraj has contributed immensely to the growth and development of the sport in the community.
Certifications
– ICC Coaching Foundation Certificate,
– USA Cricket Level 1: Umpiring Fundamentals,
– ACF Silver Coach Certification
Krishna Natarajan (Coach K) is a 15+ year cricket veteran in NJ. He has founded and represented some of the prestigious T20 clubs in NJ and has played various leagues. He has held club administrative roles along with being part of league executive committee(s) for several years.
He has organized various youth tournaments over the years to grow and develop the sport and talent locally. Krishna has been extremely passionate about development of youth cricket and has been coaching/training youth for the 6+ years.
Certification
– Cricket Australia – Level 0 Coach
– ICC – Level 1 Coach
– American Cricket Federation – Level 2 Coach
– Positive Coaching Alliance – Double Goals Coach
