PUNE, MAHARASHTRA | 12th November 2026: Building on its success as a two-time Maharashtra Premier League (MPL) champion, Ratnagiri Jets has announced the launch of its first official cricket academy in collaboration with Silver Birch Vision Sports Academy at Vadgaon Budruk, Pune. The initiative marks a significant step in the franchise’s commitment to strengthening Maharashtra’s cricket ecosystem by creating a structured pathway for emerging talent to progress from grassroots cricket to the professional game.
The launch builds on the growing momentum around the franchise’s talent development efforts. Ratnagiri Jets recently conducted Under-16 and Under-19 talent trials, attracting over 700 aspiring cricketers. The new academy formalises this commitment into a year-round development programme, with plans to establish additional academies across key regions of Maharashtra.
Over the years, Ratnagiri Jets has expanded its presence beyond the professional T20 circuit through Jets Club, which has been competing in official Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) tournaments for three years. The franchise also extended its commitment to women’s cricket with the launch of its Women’s Maharashtra Premier League (WMPL) team in 2025, led by Smriti Mandhana, who now captains the Indian women’s national team.
The Ratnagiri Jets–Silver Birch Vision Cricket Academy is designed to bridge the gap between grassroots potential and professional cricket through a structured development pathway spanning players aged seven and above, including the Under-14, Under-16, Under-19 and Under-23 categories. The programme will support progression into senior club cricket, the franchise’s men’s and women’s teams, and high-performance T20 leagues.
Rajan Navani, Chairman, JetSynthesys & Co-Owner, Ratnagiri Jets, said: “Champions are not built overnight; they emerge from ecosystems that recognise talent, nurture potential and create pathways to excellence. Through Ratnagiri Jets, we aim to strengthen this foundation for Indian cricket, transforming grassroots potential into opportunities that can shape the future of the sport.”
Rakesh Navani, Co-Owner, Ratnagiri Jets, said: “Our vision for Ratnagiri Jets extends beyond competing for championships. It is about contributing meaningfully to the future of Maharashtra cricket by creating opportunities for young talent to learn, develop and realise its potential. The response to our recent talent trials reinforces the depth of cricketing talent across the state. Through this academy and our planned expansion, we want to create a more structured pathway that connects grassroots passion with opportunities at the highest levels of the game.”
Mahindra Lulla, Co-Owner, Ratnagiri Jets, said: “Maharashtra has never been short of cricketing talent; what young players often need is a door to walk through. Having seen our women’s team and Jets Club give emerging cricketers a real platform, we are delighted to take that commitment a step further with this academy. With structured coaching, quality facilities and development programmes, we hope to open that door early for more talent across the state.”
Ratnagiri Jets’ broader talent development ecosystem has already seen players progress into prominent domestic and franchise cricket setups. These include Kiran Chormale, India Under-19 vice-captain and a Maharashtra Ranji Trophy player; Gautami Naik, a standout performer for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) and Ratnagiri Jets in the WMPL; and players such as Pradeep Dadhe and Atharva Dharmadhikari, Divyang Hinganekar, Nikhil Naik and Nikit Dhumal who have advanced into Maharashtra’s Ranji Trophy and senior domestic setup. Azim Kazi, who captained Ratnagiri Jets during its first three MPL seasons, has also represented Maharashtra across the Ranji Trophy, Vijay Hazare Trophy and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
The academy will be supported by qualified coaches holding Level 1 to Level 4 certifications, trained through the globally recognised CoachED programme. Its facilities will include open and indoor practice nets, specialised high-performance T20 training, and a scholarship programme for selected exceptional players, helping widen access to structured training and development opportunities.
Ranjit Pande, Director of Cricket and Head Coach, Ratnagiri Jets, said: “Developing a cricketer requires more than identifying talent; it demands quality infrastructure, consistent competitive exposure, an intelligent and sensitive coaching philosophy, and a clear pathway for progression. The academy is designed to bring these elements together through a structured, long-term development programme. By nurturing players across age groups and creating opportunities to progress into senior and professional cricket, we aim to help emerging cricketers build the skills, discipline, and confidence required to compete at higher levels.”
With this launch, Ratnagiri Jets is taking its next step towards building a more integrated cricket development ecosystem. By combining its experience in professional franchise cricket with grassroots talent identification, qualified coaching, and structured player progression, the franchise aims to unlock regional talent and contribute to the holistic development of aspiring cricketers.
