Rayyan Ketekar was born and raised in the Bay Area and is a sophomore at Santa Clara University, where he is pursuing a major in mathematics and a minor in Management Information Systems. He has represented the Bay Area and Santa Clara Cricket Club and most recently made his Minor League Cricket debut with the East Bay Blazers.
1. Can you tell us about your cricketing journey and how you got started in the game?
Cricket sparked my interest in sports after watching the 2017 Champions Trophy. After learning the basics and playing my first couple of games, I believed I could pursue the sport professionally. I later progressed through the USA Youth Cricket pathway while also taking part in numerous tournaments domestically and abroad, including in Australia, the United Kingdom and South Africa.
Rayyan Ketekar made his Minor League Cricket debut for the East Bay Blazers in 2026 after progressing through the USA Youth Cricket pathway and playing internationally.
2. Can you describe the emotions you experienced when you stepped onto the field for your first Minor League Cricket match?
It was a moment of pride for me. Stepping onto the field reflected my hard work, resilience and consistent performances both domestically and abroad. Before and during the match, I made sure to approach the game with the mindset that I belonged on this stage and that success would come as long as I stuck to the process, worked hard and remained patient.
3. Was there a particular moment during your debut that stood out as especially memorable?
As a team, we went into my debut game with the mindset that we would fight hard to secure a spot in the playoffs. The final five overs of the Blazers' bowling innings were nothing short of a potential miracle. With a tough task of defending 11 runs in five overs with six wickets still to take, I knew my job was to keep racking up dot balls and putting pressure on the set batters. The reward was a debut wicket in my first MiLC spell and a rapid lower-order collapse that followed, courtesy of my teammates.
Despite the loss, the East Bay Blazers managed to take an important match into the final over. I can proudly walk away knowing that my two overs hindered the opposition's qualification chances.
4. What aspects of your game were you most satisfied with during your debut, and what would you like to improve?
I was satisfied with the lengths I hit while bowling and with not conceding extras given the tight match situation. This opportunity provided me with a lot of input that I can take back to the drawing board and use to prepare for next season. I want to focus more on variations, develop a consistent strength-and-conditioning plan suited to my role, and improve my fielding.
5. What are your personal goals for the remainder of the 2026 season, and what do you hope to contribute to your team's campaign?
My goals for the rest of the year are to get stronger, bowl faster, work on my power-hitting and improve my fitness. I am looking forward to taking more wickets and bowling impactful spells to help the East Bay Blazers win back the West Division Championship and compete for the title in 2027.
6. Has your Minor League Cricket experience changed your ambitions in any way, particularly regarding Major League Cricket or opportunities to represent the USA?
This experience has given me exposure to a high level of competitive cricket. Looking ahead, I aim to make an impact in Minor League Cricket and work my way toward the USA men's team, Major League Cricket and other professional franchise leagues.
7. What has been the biggest adjustment for you, whether in terms of playing conditions, travel, preparation or the quality of opposition?
The biggest adjustment to my routine was the depth and quality of my training, especially leading up to the Minor League games. Knowing the physical demands of cricket at the men's level, I made sure to align and schedule my gym sessions, academy coaching, one-on-one sessions and matches accordingly. This allowed me to effectively manage my workload and benefit from the open-net training camps conducted by the East Bay Blazers to prepare for the tournament.
8. How would you describe the team environment, and what has it been like sharing the dressing room with experienced and established players?
I'm grateful to be around people who have so much knowledge to share about the sport, especially players who have participated in Major League Cricket and represented national teams. They are role models for me and for the youth at the academy who aspire to become great cricketers.
They are calm and composed athletes who relentlessly back the team and inspire us to put in the hard yards. The dugout culture is very welcoming and disciplined.
9. What message would you like to share with young cricketers in the USA who are working toward making their own Minor League Cricket debut?
My advice to the youth: Cricket is a game of highs and lows. If you put in the work, it will pay off in the long run. Above all, enjoy the game and stay patient.
