'It's the bat that speaks, not the accent': Local club cricket player Vishesh Malhotra

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Having previously played for Essendon and Geelong Cricket Clubs, Vishesh Malhotra hopes that Australian cricket organisations will provide more resources and opportunities to highlight the sport’s cultural significance. Credit: Vishesh Malhotra

According to Cricket Australia’s Multicultural Action Plan, 67 per cent of South Asian respondents say finding and joining a cricket club in Australia is a challenge. While players of South Asian background make up 18 per cent of community and junior-level cricket, the Scanlon Foundation reports they represent just 4.2 per cent of state and territory players. In this podcast, Lara Cricket Club player Vishesh Malhotra shares his sporting journey in Australia after arriving in 2019. As he prepares for Victoria Country Week, he reflects on his experience as the only multicultural player in his team and the realities beyond the pitch.

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Published 8 January 2026 4:39pm

Updated 9 January 2026 12:52pm

By Bhavya Pandey

Presented by Bhavya Pandey

Source: SBS

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According to Cricket Australia’s Multicultural Action Plan, 67 per cent of South Asian respondents say finding and joining a cricket club in Australia is a challenge. While players of South Asian background make up 18 per cent of community and junior-level cricket, the Scanlon Foundation reports they represent just 4.2 per cent of state and territory players. In this podcast, Lara Cricket Club player Vishesh Malhotra shares his sporting journey in Australia after arriving in 2019. As he prepares for Victoria Country Week, he reflects on his experience as the only multicultural player in his team and the realities beyond the pitch.

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