Amid all that Atharva Ankolekar shared during an in-depth conversation, one moment stood out—his journey summarized not by words alone, but by a powerful symbol. When he was born, his father, Vinod Ankolekar, placed a cricket bat beside him—a quiet, hopeful gesture that would come to define the young boy’s destiny.

From those early days, Atharva watched his family endure with dignity. His father worked tirelessly with the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) in the electrical division, and after his untimely passing, Atharva's mother, Vaidehi, stepped into the role of the family’s provider, working as a bus conductor at BEST. She never wavered in her support, standing firm as Atharva and his brother Parth navigated their paths in cricket.

Years later, that resilience came full circle. During the T20 Mumbai League in 2025, the Eagle Thane Strikers placed a bid of ₹16.25 lakh for Atharva—a moment of validation for a family that had sacrificed so much. While the figure might seem modest compared to the grand sums in the IPL, for the Ankolekars, it was nothing short of transformative.

“For someone who’s seen difficult days, money holds deep meaning,” Atharva said in a candid interview during the tournament.

To him, this bid wasn’t just a career opportunity. It was a reward—a repayment of his family’s unwavering belief and perseverance.

Now 24, Atharva reflects on how far he has come—not only in cricket but in life. He never once considered leaving the sport, even in the face of loss.

“I had to play cricket for my father, for India. Quitting was never an option,” he said. “When he passed away, my mother became my biggest motivation. She never made me feel I had to give up.”

Atharva believes his father's spirit continues to guide him. Each success, he feels, is rooted in his father’s early dream and vision. As he matures in the game, his determination only sharpens.

Initially a batter, Atharva transitioned into a left-arm spinner—a move that eventually catapulted him to national attention. In the 2020 U-19 World Cup, his four-wicket haul helped India reach the final, where they fell to Bangladesh. It was a moment that brought him into the national spotlight.

Unsurprisingly, his cricketing idol is Ravindra Jadeja. “Jadeja is the complete cricketer—his batting, bowling, and fielding are world-class. His energy on the field is contagious, and that’s something I’ve tried to emulate.”

Atharva’s game reflects that influence. His bowling in the 2024 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy was particularly impressive. He maintained an economy rate of just 6.1 in the powerplay, compared to the tournament average of 8.76—an outstanding feat. He also took crucial wickets, including those of Atharva Taide and Karun Nair, finishing with an average of 19.

So, what’s his approach?

“It’s a combination of preparation and intuition. I study batters’ patterns before matches—how they play in the powerplay and after—and then tailor my training accordingly.”

He adds, “I try to think one step ahead of the batter. I believe I’ve been gifted with the ability to read them, and I always trust my bowling, no matter the situation.”

Atharva also proved valuable with the bat in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, scoring 130 runs across five games, including a crucial 66-run innings against Punjab. In pressure situations, especially alongside Mumbai captain Shreyas Iyer, he found not just confidence, but clarity.

“Fearlessness is important in modern cricket,” he said, “but there’s a fine line between being fearless and being reckless. You need to know where that line is.”

Those leadership lessons served him well. Standing in as captain for the Eagle Thane Strikers in the absence of Shardul Thakur, Atharva led the team to the semi-finals, winning three out of four matches in his debut T20 Mumbai appearance.

More than just a tournament, T20 Mumbai is a platform—an audition for leagues like IPL 2026. For Atharva, it's a vital stepping stone.

“There are no expectations, but the responsibility is greater. Mumbai cricket has immense talent, and this league brings that to the forefront. Like other regional tournaments, it gives us a chance to grow and raise the bar.”

Asked what advice he’d offer to young cricketers chasing the same dream, Atharva said:

“There are no shortcuts. Hard work matters—but smart work does too. You have to understand when to push and when to pause. Trust your process, stay consistent, and everything will eventually fall into place.”