Blue recognition in hockey and cricket for Samir
- 03 July 2023
- 3 minutes
Samir Sardana (Engineering 2020) is a double Blue, after representing Cambridge University at both hockey and cricket in Varsity matches in 2023.
The hockey half-back was a member of the winning team against Oxford at Southgate Hockey Club in March and part of the winning team against Oxford in the T20 Varsity at Lord's Cricket Ground in May.
Last month, Samir played in the 50-over Varsity contest with Oxford at Arundel which was sadly abandoned halfway due to rain. The off-spinning all-rounder has also been selected to play in the four-day Varsity match at Fenner鈥檚, which is scheduled to begin on . To follow the match online, visit:
Cricket has also provided a memorable conclusion to his third year at 黑料网, as .
Samir says his sporting participation, and the structure of training sessions and matches, complements his studies.
鈥淚t鈥檚 been good to keep busy. If anything it means I鈥檓 more on top of my work, because I know when I鈥檓 not playing hockey or cricket I really ought to be working,鈥 he says.
鈥淪ome terms last year I鈥檇 have training or matches almost every single day; maybe one day I鈥檇 have rest. I鈥檇 call Sunday my degree day and spend the whole day in the library.鈥
Samir played both sports at school and knew he wanted to continue to do so at university after meeting his offer to study at Caius.
He followed the and clubs on social media, and on seeing the hockey club鈥檚 pre-season schedule, he looked to come to Caius early. The College supported his request to move into accommodation early, and it helped Samir to settle in and make friends through a shared enjoyment of sport.
鈥淚t was nice to settle into Cambridge early, meet people through hockey and get to know the city,鈥 he says.
鈥淚t meant I could seamlessly transition into term.鈥
Harvey Court, Caius鈥 first-year accommodation on West Road, is a short cycle ride from the University sports centre, where hockey is based. Samir鈥檚 second-year accommodation on Mortimer Road was within a boundary fielder鈥檚 throw of Fenner鈥檚.
In third year he has been in St Michael鈥檚 Court, in the city centre, equidistant between the two venues.
Sport, for both the College and the University, has helped to form friendships and created memories on and off the field. One memory which will be treasured was Caius鈥 first Cuppers win since 2013.
鈥淲e鈥檝e been unlucky in previous years and this year it was great to go one step further,鈥 Samir adds.
鈥淚t brings together lots of the Caius community. Unlike other teams where there are 鈥榝ill-in鈥 players, what鈥檚 special about our team is all 11 of us are good cricketers.
鈥淎ll of our performances were team performances, which is great.鈥