The air inside the Prime 22 Yards indoor facility in Austin, Texas, wasn’t just humming with the sound of fast bowlers and hard hits—it was electric with good old-fashioned cricket camaraderie mixed with American ambition. The recent Cricket for a Cause (C4AC) Championship held on Nov. 9 2025, transcended a typical sports tournament; it was a powerful seven-team fundraiser directly supporting the HC4A scholarship program with critical organizational backing from the Cricket4All (C4A) nonprofit.
The enthusiasm for the sport’s surge across the country was palpable. Speaking as both an industry leader and a community builder, Anupam Govil (Managing Partner at Avasant and Chairman of the U.S.-India Chamber of Commerce, Austin) succinctly captured the spirit of the day:
“Cricket is the new baseball, and the popularity of the sport is growing across the U.S. Kudos to HC4A and Cricket for All for organizing this event featuring some of the emerging players in U.S. cricket."
-Anupam Govil, Managing Partner at Avasant and Chairman of the U.S.-India Chamber of Commerce, Austin
This powerful momentum fueled the day, as teams and players from corporate giants—including Dell, HP, Intel, Microsoft, Amazon, Deloitte, and Charles Schwab—traded their boardroom roles for the pitch, embodying the spirit of philanthropy through spirited competition.
Building Resilience: The Cricket Mindset and the Cultural Bridge
What truly resonated with attendees was the deeply personal context brought by Hollywood actor Vishy Ayyar, the star of American Warrior. Vishy didn’t just attend; he articulated the very essence of the event: how the discipline learned in cricket becomes a powerful blueprint for success in any field.
He drew a powerful, lifelong connection between the pitch and the studio, recalling the visceral, electric memory of the 1983 India vs. West Indies match. The sheer willpower demonstrated on the field that day became the model for his own pioneering journey as a lead actor in Hollywood. He showed how the focus and resilience required in cricket—the ability to keep your head down and perform under pressure—translate directly into determination on the big screen, especially when battling industry stereotypes. Recounting the moment he witnessed Sunil Gavaskar’s crucial century back in 1983, he recalled saying
"I've never clapped in my life like that. And that day, I said, 'Man, that mindset is what I want.'"
-Vishy Ayyar, Hollywood Actor and Star of the film American Warrior
His testimony proved that the lessons learned in cricket provide a powerful “cultural bridge,” equipping young people with the mental toughness and self-belief necessary to chase any ambitious dream, whether it leads to a national team cap or a starring role in a film.
Harmeet Singh and the Pitch for Growth: Investing in Tomorrow's Stars
The event received a significant boost from the presence of Harmeet Singh, star player for the USA National Team, who was interviewed by the respected Brian Walters, the “Voice of Cricket Commentary.” Harmeet shared the excitement from the team’s recent historic performances, but quickly shifted the focus to the urgent responsibility of the community to support that momentum.
He acknowledged that the high quality of the team’s play, often achieved “without all the extravagant facilities and the infrastructure,” highlights a crucial need for investment. Harmeet’s message to the community was clear: If we want the sport to explode across the country, we need to build the right environment for players to develop. He stated:
"It only shows that if we have the infrastructure and the right things going on for US cricket, where the sport can reach and the team."
-Harmeet Singh, Professional Cricketer, USA National Cricket Team
This call for resources and structural support is exactly why the partnership between the HC4A scholarship fundraiser and the C4A non-profit is so vital: it links immediate financial aid to long-term facility building. Harmeet stressed that young players need more than just inspiration from global legends; they need local heroes and access to opportunity. He passionately argued that “giving back to the community is really important” because it provides that essential help to “give back to the youth… and give them a stepping stone to… make a great career.”
HC4A’s Core Mission: Bridging the Divide Through Vocational Education
This core concept of providing a “stepping stone” is the bedrock of the HC4A Vocational Scholarship Program. Our mission is simple and direct: to bridge income disparities through education. The funds raised at the C4AC Championship directly fuel this life-changing work.
The HC4A Vocational Scholarship Program provides critical financial aid to students from underserved communities who are pursuing vocational, trade, or associate degree certifications. We focus specifically on these fields—ranging from nursing and IT to skilled trades—because they offer a direct pathway to immediate employment in high-demand, high-wage sectors. This type of targeted education fundamentally changes a student’s financial future, enabling them to quickly secure stable careers and lift their families out of poverty. You can read more about the profound impact of our Vocational Scholarships on our website.
We are incredibly proud to execute this mission alongside exceptional community partners who are experts in empowering students. Our key strategic partners include Capital Idea, Foundation Communities, and the Austin Community College (ACC) system. By working with these organizations, we ensure our grants are paired with comprehensive mentorship, counseling, and long-term support, creating a robust safety net for every student we serve. You can review our extensive track record of Accomplishments and Impact on our blog page.
Closing the Digital Divide: Mentorship Beyond the Boundary
The need for active mentorship goes hand-in-hand with financial support. Beyond the C4AC pitch, HC4A runs the Digital Inclusion Mentorship Program, which connects experienced corporate employees with Gen Z students to teach essential digital skills, career readiness, and interview techniques.
We want to send a massive thank you to all the corporate employees who dedicated their time and expertise in this program. Your involvement is actively closing the digital divide and equipping students with the modern skills necessary to succeed in a tech-driven workforce.
If you are a professional working in the tech industry or a related field, your knowledge is one of the most powerful resources we have to empower a young person. We urgently need more mentors to support our students. We encourage all interested professionals to learn more about Closing the Digital Divide and to sign up to become a mentor today!
Heartfelt Thanks to Our Generous Sponsors
The success of the C4AC Championship and its vital contribution to the HC4A scholarship fund would simply not have been possible without the extraordinary generosity of our sponsors. These partners showed their deep commitment to community growth and the future of American talent. We extend our sincere gratitude to:
The Power of the Volunteer Squad: Making the Magic Happen
Finally, the C4AC Championship was not just defined by the talent of the players, but by the dedicated army of volunteers who made the entire event possible. The facility was a hive of organized energy, buzzing with dedication. Every detail was expertly handled: from the Front Desk managing registration and handling coupons, to the sharp eyes of the Umpires and Scorers, to the tireless work of the Team Managers and Lane Managers keeping play running smoothly. Even the Concession stand operators, Photography Assistants, Video Assistants, and Mezzanine Hosts were essential players.
Mira Madhav, a long-time supporter of the cause, perfectly captured the community spirit: she gave sincere thanks to the young players “who so sportily allowed the young batsmen in our team to keep batting and score runs.” The team from Shop LC ended up winning the championship in great sporting fashion, but the true winners were the students whose futures were funded.
The success of C4AC proves that the spirit of volunteerism is alive and well. If you were inspired by the C4AC volunteers and want to be a part of our ongoing mission, whether through sports, education, or general event support, we encourage you to check out all of our Volunteer Opportunities! Your time will directly change a student’s life.
The entire C4AC Championship showed that the love of cricket isn’t just growing in America—it’s thriving, powerful, and ready to put its best foot forward to build a lasting legacy through education. Join us today!
