--- title: "Homeground Cricket Academy: The Story Behind Paul Valthaty’s Vision" description: "Discover why Paul Valthaty built Homeground Cricket Academy in Kandivali. Access international-standard red soil wickets and professional training in Mumbai." canonical: https://mytribe.in/homegroundcricketacademy/cricket-facility-net-rentals/my-story-why-i-built-this-academy last_updated: 2026-01-10 --- # The Story Behind Homeground Cricket Academy Tribe Verified · International-standard cricket pitches in Kandivali. By [Homeground Cricket Academy](https://mytribe.in/homegroundcricketacademy) · Available at Paul Valthaty Cricket Academy, Kandivali East · ₹1,200 per net per hour (estimate) Part of [Cricket Facility & Net Rentals](https://mytribe.in/homegroundcricketacademy/cricket-facility-net-rentals). [View full gallery](https://mytribe.in/homegroundcricketacademy/cricket-facility-net-rentals/gallery) I started Homeground because I wanted to fix the struggle I faced as a young player. No more long commutes—just top-class cricket practice right here in Kandivali. ## Photos and videos - [Video: I sat down for a podcast to explain the 'why' behind Homeground. I talk about my own experiences, my focus on making the best pitches, and my dream for the players who train here.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/4254963c-bce3-464f-8dd0-73cc064112ac) - [Video: I believe a coach should also be a player. Here I am, padded up and facing deliveries in the same nets our students use. This is my way of staying connected to the game and leading from the front.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/18a6fd25-c4ad-41ff-a41c-e0c774dfdca4) ## About My Story: Why I Built This Academy When I built this academy, I knew the wicket was everything. I didn't just hire someone to maintain the ground—I learned to make the pitches myself. Whether you are an amateur or a professional, you are practicing on red soil wickets that mimic international standards, exactly the kind that IPL stars and Ranji players use when they train here. Growing up in Borivali and Kandivali, my daily routine involved hauling my kit bag in crowded trains all the way to Churchgate, only to get 15 or 20 minutes of actual batting time. That experience stayed with me. When I decided to start Homeground, I made a promise to myself: we would not be another facility where the surface is an afterthought. I spent time learning the science of pitch-making from scratch. I wanted our red soil wickets to feel like the real deal because I know how frustrating it is to train on 'dead' surfaces that don't prepare you for match conditions. Today, this is why players from KKR, and legends like Brett Lee, choose our nets for their practice. My dream for this place is simple. I want the kids in our neighborhood to have the infrastructure I never had. We offer: * **International-Standard Pitch Prep:** My groundsmen follow the same protocols used for professional matches, ensuring the bounce is true every single day. * **Match Exposure:** Through our involvement with the MCA Kanga League and Giles Shield, our students get experience beyond just net practice. * **Weather-Proof Training:** We built indoor artificial turf nets so your practice doesn't stop during the Mumbai monsoon. Whether you are here for a one-off net session or looking for long-term coaching, you are stepping onto the same ground as professionals. Don't stress about the facilities; just focus on your game. Let the ball come, and put in the work. ## About Homeground Cricket Academy I am Paul Valthaty, and I built this academy to give local players the facilities I never had growing up. My goal is to build a place where hard work meets the right preparation. Come down to Kandivali, and let's get to work. [See all of Homeground Cricket Academy's services](https://mytribe.in/homegroundcricketacademy) ## More from Cricket Facility & Net Rentals by Homeground Cricket Academy - [Featured](https://mytribe.in/homegroundcricketacademy/cricket-facility-net-rentals/featured) - [Train Where The Pros Train](https://mytribe.in/homegroundcricketacademy/cricket-facility-net-rentals/train-where-the-pros-train) - [Our World-Class Facilities](https://mytribe.in/homegroundcricketacademy/cricket-facility-net-rentals/our-world-class-facilities) - [Nurturing Future Stars](https://mytribe.in/homegroundcricketacademy/cricket-facility-net-rentals/nurturing-future-stars) - [Hear From Our Players](https://mytribe.in/homegroundcricketacademy/cricket-facility-net-rentals/hear-from-our-players) - [Academy Life & Events](https://mytribe.in/homegroundcricketacademy/cricket-facility-net-rentals/academy-life-events) ## More services by Homeground Cricket Academy - [Cricket Coaching for All Ages](https://mytribe.in/homegroundcricketacademy/cricket-coaching-for-all-ages) - [High-Performance Player Development](https://mytribe.in/homegroundcricketacademy/high-performance-player-development) ## Similar work from other experts - [Our Cricket Academy Grounds and Facilities](https://mytribe.in/ptcricketacademy/youth-cricket-tournaments/our-academy-grounds-beginnings) by Pravin Tambe's Cricket Academy · Youth Cricket Tournaments · At SPJ Cricket Ground, Lonavala and across Mumbai Metropolitan Area - [Professional Cricket Pitch Preparation in Mumbai](https://mytribe.in/achieverscricketacademy/cricket-immersion-program-for-international-players/building-the-foundation) by Achievers Cricket Academy · Cricket Immersion Program for International Players · Training at academies in Chembur West, Ghatkopar East and across Mumbai - [From Our Academy to the Big Leagues](https://mytribe.in/machocricketacademy/one-on-one-cricket-coaching/from-our-academy-to-the-big-leagues) by Macho Cricket Academy · One-on-One Cricket Coaching · Coaching at Karnataka Sports Ground & across Mumbai - [From Payyade to the Pros](https://mytribe.in/payyadesportsmumbai/cricket-coaching-training-programs/from-payyade-to-the-pros) by Payyade Sports Club · Cricket Coaching & Training Programs · Coaching at 4 locations across Kandivali and Borivali, Mumbai - [Elite Cricket Coaching & Professional Player Development](https://mytribe.in/cricketcity/high-performance-program-for-elite-cricketers/featured) by City Cricket Academy · High-Performance Program for Elite Cricketers · 6 academies across Delhi NCR, Bengaluru, Maharashtra & UP - [A Day at the Academy: Real Cricket Training in Mumbai](https://mytribe.in/cca_centurions_cricket_academy/high-performance-specialized-coaching/a-day-at-the-academy) by Centurions Cricket Academy · High-Performance & Specialized Coaching · Coaching at academies in Andheri West & Kurla, and across Mumbai ## Book To book Homeground Cricket Academy, message mytribe on WhatsApp: [Chat on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/916360004054?text=Hi%2C%20I%20read%20about%20the%20Homeground%20story.%20I'm%20interested%20in%20booking%20a%20practice%20session%20at%20your%20academy.) 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