Saumy Pandey

Saumy Pandey is an India U-19 cricketer, who bowls left-arm orthodox spin.

Born in Bharatpur, Saumy’s childhood was troubled with illness because of his premature birth. After his parents, Krishna Kumar and Sharmila, who are both government school teachers, decided to take him to Rewa in pursuit of a better education, they also admitted him to Vindhya Cricket Academy, aiming to improve his fitness and overall health.

Not only did Saumy experience benefits in terms of health, his interest in cricket grew deeper. After all, he was already in love with the sport, so much so that he used to sleep with his bat while growing up.

A prominent coach in Madhya Pradesh, Aril Anthony, who had also trained the likes of Ishwar Pandey, Kuldeep Sen and Pooja Vastrakar, made Saumy one of his pupils.

The tweaker continued to impress in age-group cricket, playing at the U-16 level. However, Covid-19 posed a tough challenge when Saumy, along with his family, returned to his hometown. This did not deter his spirit, as he set-up a cement wicket and used to practice there.

He was the highest wicket-taker for India A U-19 in the Quadrangular series in November 2023, with 13 dismissals in seven matches. He was rewarded for his performance as he got picked in the India U-19 for the Asia Cup 2023. 

In the U-19 tri-series between India, South Africa and Afghanistan, Saumy flexed his bowling prowess. He took nine wickets in just two games, including a six-wicket haul versus Afghanistan, which also witnessed him taking a hat-trick.

He was also included in the team for the U-19 World Cup 2024 as the vice-captain. Operating at his best right from the word go, he claimed a four-for versus Bangladesh. He ended up bowling a similar spell versus New Zealand and Nepal, bagging four wickets apiece in these two fixtures. 

(As of February 2024)