Mr. Siddhartha Sid Lahiri
At the heart of the world of cricket lies a man whose dedication and expertise have transformed the lives of numerous aspiring cricketers. Meet Mr. Siddhartha (Sid) Lahiri, an ECB Level 3 Coach, and the Founder & Head Coach of the Star Cricket Academy in Surrey, UK. Sid's journey in cricket has been nothing short of remarkable, as he has shaped the future of countless young talents through his coaching endeavors. With an impressive track record in franchise cricket , he has earned a well-deserved reputation as a respected mentor and coach in the cricketing world.
Early Life and Background
Born on December 1, 1974, in Kolkata, India, Sid Lahiri was introduced to cricket at a young age. His passion for the sport led him to pursue a B.Com degree while also nurturing his cricketing skills. During his formative years, Sid played representative cricket in West Bengal, India, and later moved to Surrey, UK, where he continued his cricketing journey
Career
Sid Lahiri's playing career primarily revolved around his role as an opening batsman, and he had the privilege of playing alongside distinguished cricketers during this time. However, it was Sid's transition from a player to a coach that truly set him on the path to make a significant impact in the world of cricket. In 2003, Sid followed his vision and completed his ECB ( England & Wales cricket board ) level 1, 2&3 badges. His cricket coaching journey started at Stoke d’ Abernon cricket club in Surrey,UK . Starting with 1 student and the power of ‘ Word of mouth” recommendations, his popularity started to rise and he landed up getting a job as Groundsman/ cricket coach at Parkside School , in Cobham , Surrey , UK. With the help of the visionary Headmaster of Parkside School , Mr David Aylward , Star cricket academy was born in the year 2007. This move marked the beginning of a journey that would change the lives of countless aspiring cricketers. Under the Star Cricket Academy umbrella, Sid played a pivotal role in developing young talents, honing their skills, and nurturing their passion for the game. After the retirement of Mr Aylward , Sid moved his business to Reed’s school in Cobham , Surrey , UK. Reed’s school had built a state of art cricket centre , and this was the best opportunity for Sid to scale his business to highest level . With the support his dear friend and former England player Keith Medlycott , ( Cricket professional at Reed’s ) , Star cricket Academy established at Reed”s school in 2018. His relentless dedication and unwavering commitment to player development caught the attention of Rajasthan Royals, one of the most prominent teams in the Indian Premier League (IPL) in the year 2019 and the legendary Shane Warne innaugurated the Rajasthan Royals Academy and the partnership with the Royals brand in 2019. As the Director of Academy Coaching, Sid Lahiri was now responsible for shaping the future of cricketers under the Royals Brand, with the assistance of a team of ten plus professional coaches. Sid's coaching expertise and ability to bring out the best in his students soon led to remarkable achievements. The Academy produced several quality cricketers who not only made their mark in English domestic cricket but also went on to represent the England national team. Ollie Pope, Phil Salt, Amar Virdi, Ryan Patel, Alex Milton , Shoaib Bashkirs and others are some of the notable alumni of the Academy, all of whom benefited from Sid's guidance and mentorship.
Awards and Recognition
The true testament to Sid Lahiri's hard work and success lies in the incredible growth of his academy. From starting with just one player, the Star Cricket Academy now boasts a staggering number of 350 players, with around 150 families visiting the Academy every week. This exponential growth is a testament to the trust and respect he has earned from players and their parents.
Furthermore, Sid's involvement with the Surrey County age group program and his role as an Assistant Coach for both Rajasthan Royals in IPL and Barbados Royals in CPL speak volumes about his reputation and expertise in the cricketing community.