Shimla
There was great excitement at Bishop Cotton School today (11 June 2024) after the morning’s half yearly exams as IPL cricketer Mayank Dagar paid a visit to his old school in Shimla.
The Indian cricketer was honoured by the whole school lining up and clapping him back on campus where he spoke to the gathering about his time playing and learning cricket at BCS.
Awarded a Spartan tie
The BCS Director Simon Weale awarded him with a special ‘Spartan Club’ tie and badge saying; “A BCS person founded the IPL, and Mayank is the first Cottonian to play in the IPL so we’re very, very proud of him, and grateful to him for spending time in school with our boys today”.
BCS is a special place
In Mayank’s speech to the school he said; “BCS holds a very special place in my heart and my journey started from here when I joined the school in Class 7. I never thought I’d make it into professional cricket but I did always try and work hard, and played matches from here. I’m really happy to see some of my old teachers are still here, and it is always a special feeling to be in this school, although I can’t come up to school that much these days – I’m looking forward to spending some time with you all today”.
Coached the school boys
Visiting with his sister and cousins the party took a tour of the campus and Mayank opened the new cricket facilities at the heritage school. The warm-hearted cricketer also made time to coach the boys helping them with their cricket, as well as batting and bowling against the school boys, even hitting one of his balls right out of the cricket pitch, and out of school!
Mayank Dagar background (from internet sources)
Mayank Jitender Daggar is a 27-year-old Indian cricketer who plays for Himachal Pradesh in domestic cricket and Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the Indian Premier League. He is a right-handed batsman and slow left-arm orthodox bowler. He was part of India’s squad for 2016 Under-19 Cricket World Cup.
Born in Delhi, Dagar attended the Bishop Cotton School in Shimla, which is one of the oldest boarding schools in Asia. His father Jitender Dagar, who played cricket at the university level, works as a contractor for Municipal Corporation of Delhi. Former Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag is a cousin of Dagar’s mother.
Mayank joined Bishop Cotton School, Shimla in Class 7, 2008 and was discovered there by the HP Cricket Board scouters.
