Dharmang Patel is a passionate cricketer who began his journey in Dukhan, Qatar, and rose through the ranks to represent the Qatar National Team. Known for his dedication and resilience, he has delivered standout performances, including a career-best 94 runs in 79 balls in South Africa. With a strong foundation built in both India and Qatar, Dharmang now aims to play in international leagues. Alongside his playing career, he is working on a grassroots cricket development project, driven by a deep desire to give back to the sport that has shaped his life.
Below is the interview with Dharmang Patel for SPORTS&GULF MAGAZINE:
1. Journey into Cricket:
“Dharmang, can you tell us about your journey into cricket and how you ended up representing Qatar at the international level?”
I began playing cricket at the age of 8 in a small town called Dukhan in Qatar. My school, MES Indian School, was located in Doha—around 110 kilometers away—which meant I had to start my day as early as 4:30 AM. Despite the long commutes, my passion for the game kept me going.
I soon started representing my school in inter-school cricket tournaments, and that’s where I first gained recognition. My school coach, Mr. Balraj, saw potential in me and recommended me for the trials of U-15 Qatar National Cricket Team in 2006, which was set to tour Thailand for the Asian Cricket Council Tournament. I was in Grade 10 at the time, and despite the demands of school and training, my parents and brothers were incredibly supportive and they made sure the external issues never effected by game. Our national team training sessions were also held in Doha, so I would travel back and forth—returning home by 10 PM and waking up again at 4 AM. It was tough, but I loved every moment of it because I was pursuing what I was most passionate about.
That tour to Thailand was a turning point in my life. I had the opportunity to meet Mr. Roger Binny (now the President of BCCI), and his humility and grace left a lasting impression on me and showcased how a life of a cricketer could be. It was then that my dream of becoming a cricketer truly began.
After completing Grade 10, I moved to India to further develop my cricketing skills. I studied in SGVP International School in Ahmedabad for Grades 11 and 12 and captained the school cricket team. Coming from a family of engineers, it was expected that I would pursue engineering as well, so I enrolled in R.K. College of Engineering in Rajkot, Gujarat.
During that time, a school friend recommended I join Y.B. Sports Academy, where I met my coach, Mr. Yusuf Bambhaniya. He played a crucial role in shaping both my cricket and character. He always said, “Cricket is like life—you’ll have your ups and downs, but you must keep moving forward.” Under his mentorship, I captained our club for five years, winning multiple titles, and also led the District Team to its first-ever quarterfinal appearance in the Jai Hind Trophy. I captained my college team as well, scoring my highest T20 innings of 112 runs during this time.
After earning my degree in Mechanical Engineering, I spent a year in Rajkot attempting to build a cricketing career. However, things didn’t go as planned. Coach Yusuf reminded me to always play for passion, not fame. Him and my father encouraged me to explore opportunities back in Qatar.
Taking their advice, I returned and began playing for CBC club, alongside a school friend, Christopher. My first season was a success, especially after an unbeaten 122 runs off 77 balls that brought me into the spotlight. The following year, I was selected for the Qatar National Team for the ICC World Cricket League Division 5 Asia Region Qualifiers in Thailand.
2. Biggest Achievement:
“Looking back at your career so far, what would you consider your biggest achievement as a cricketer for Qatar?”
When I first represented Qatar at an ICC event—the ICC World Cricket League Division 5 Asia Region Qualifiers held in Thailand in 2017—I was proud to finish as the highest average scorer for the Qatar team, with a tournament batting average of 63.00 runs. My top individual performance was an unbeaten 76 off 61 balls. I was fortunate to make a meaningful contribution to the team’s success, helping Qatar win the championship for the first time in its history. That achievement remains the most memorable moment of my cricketing journey. Being part of a history-making team and playing a key role in that success gave me immense motivation to keep pushing forward and striving for greater heights.
ICC World Cricket League Division 5 Asia Region Qualifiers held in Thailand in 2017—Champions !
3. Favorite Moment:
“Is there a particular match or moment on the field that stands out as your favorite during your time with the national team?”
After winning the ICC World Cricket League Division 5 Asia Region Qualifiers in Thailand in 2017, our team was promoted to the next division, and our following tour took us to Benoni, South Africa. In our opening match against the Cayman Islands, I was promoted up the batting order and delivered my career-best performance—scoring 94 runs off 79 balls—which played a crucial role in securing the win for our team. I was honored with the Man of the Match award for that performance. The recognition I received from that match was overwhelming, with several newspapers in my hometown in India covering the story. It was a proud and emotional moment for my parents, and remains one of the most cherished highlights of my cricketing career.
4. Challenges and Growth:
“What were some of the biggest challenges you faced in your cricketing career, and how have they helped you grow both as a player and as a person?”
Failure and rejection are among the biggest challenges any cricketer faces, and I’ve experienced both multiple times throughout my journey. But those moments shaped me into who I am today. Every setback triggered an inner voice that pushed me to work harder, dig deeper, and aim higher. That mindset became a part of my personality and helped me face not only challenges on the field but also those in everyday life.
My wife often tells me, “Sportspeople aren’t ordinary, they’re extraordinary, because they dare to chase the impossible.” I still remember a particular incident during my university days in India. I had finished as the top scorer of the tournament and was selected—along with a few other standout performers for the next round of trials. There were hundreds of players at the camp, but I was confident in my performance and hopeful for selection. However, when the final list was announced, all the players who had come with me were selected, except me.
I was heartbroken. I had pinned my hopes on making the state university team, seeing it as a stepping stone to greater opportunities in cricket. But life had other plans. Years later, after representing the Qatar National Team, I was invited back to my college to deliver a talk about my cricketing journey, to inspire students to pursue their dreams.
That moment taught me a valuable lesson: success doesn’t come overnight. It takes time, resilience, and an unwavering belief in oneself. Sometimes, what feels like a detour is just a different path to your destiny.
ICC World Cricket League Division 5- Benoni, South Africa- Career Best 94 runs off 79 balls !
