Spider-Man Quote Fuels India U-19 Cricketer Harvansh Singh's Rise

Harvansh Singh Pangalia, the India U-19 wicketkeeper, lives by a simple yet powerful mantra: "Trying to do better." This philosophy, inspired by a scene from the Spider-Man movie, fuels his ambition both on and off the cricket field.

Harvansh Singh scored 103 off 52 balls against England's U19 team. (Instagram)

The dialogue, taken from the 2004 film Spider-Man 2, resonates deeply with the young cricketer. In the scene, Peter Parker, played by Tobey Maguire, responds to a critical observation with the simple phrase, "Trying to do better."

"There's something about that scene, that dialogue. Then they repeated the same dialogue 20 years later in 'Spider-Man: No Way Home.' The answer gives me goosebumps," Harvansh told TimesofIndia.com from Hove.

Recently, Harvansh showcased his potential in a practice match against Young Lions Invitational XI. Coming in at 251/7, he blazed his way to a century in just 52 balls, hitting nine sixes and helping India reach 442/9. This explosive innings has made him a viral sensation, with videos of his sixes flooding social media.

Despite the attention, the humble teenager remains grounded.

"I was struggling. The first five balls I faced, I was all at sea, failing to connect a single one. I was batting on 13 off 23 balls. I was just not able to find the gaps, and I was getting frustrated. But then something happened. Something snapped, aap keh sakte ho ki maata aa gayi (you could say I was possessed!)," Harvansh laughed.

Family Sacrifices and Dreams

Harvansh's journey is one of personal sacrifice and unwavering family support. Hailing from Gandhidham, Gujarat, he grew up watching his father and uncle play cricket. His father, Damandeep Singh, now works as a truck driver in Canada to support the family. Harvansh stayed in India with his mother to pursue his cricket dream.

India U-19 cricketer Harvansh Singh (middle) stays in India, with his mother, while his father works in Canada. (Instagram)

"Whenever I step out to bat, I see the faces of my mother and father. One lives in Gandhidham, while the other is in Brampton. I feel so bad for my mother. She stayed back so that I could live my dream. They have sacrificed so much for me," Harvansh added.

His determination is fueled by a desire to reunite his parents and make their sacrifices worthwhile. He dreams of bringing his father back to India.

Inspiration and Ambition

Harvansh draws inspiration from cricketing heroes like Yuvraj Singh and legendary basketball player Kobe Bryant. He admires Yuvraj's resilience and Bryant's unparalleled work ethic, known as the "Mamba Mentality."

India U-19 cricketer Harvansh Singh during his visit to Canada to meet his father. (Instagram)

He aspires to play Test cricket for India, a format he believes truly tests a player's character. He also takes inspiration from Virat Kohli.

While his teammates have already tasted IPL success, Harvansh remains focused on his own journey.

"They are my friends; Ayush is my best mate in the team. I am happy for them. They do inspire all of us, but everyone has a different path."

"Mera bhi time aayega (My time will come as well)," he said.

India U19 will take on England U19 in the first Youth ODI at Hove on Friday.