Ram Patel
In December 2025, I flew to Lucknow, India to compete in the 7th International School Cricket League (ISCL 2025) — one of the most prestigious international youth cricket tournaments in the world, organised by City Montessori School at their Kanpur Road Campus. The tournament ran from 13th to 19th December 2025 and brought together youth teams from across the globe.
What Is the ISCL? The 7th International School Cricket League 2025
The International School Cricket League is an annual international youth cricket tournament hosted by City Montessori School in Lucknow, India. The 7th edition featured 16 teams from 5 countries — Australia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and India — with Indian sides representing cities including Lucknow, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Greater Noida, Delhi, Amritsar, and Patna.
Matches were played across three venues in Lucknow as T20 fixtures, running morning to floodlit evening sessions across seven days:
- CMS Ground — Kanpur Road Campus, City Montessori School
- Paarth Republic Ground
- Sports Galaxy Cricket Stadium
Representing the Australian Joeys at ISCL 2025
I was selected to represent the Australian Joeys — Australia's youth representative team competing in Pool-C — alongside DAV Super Kings (Amritsar), SGVP Gladiators (Ahmedabad), and Dev Savera Smashers (Patna). Wearing the Australian kit and representing a country on an international stage, aged 17, was one of the proudest moments of my cricket career to date.
The journey from England involved a connecting flight through Mumbai before arriving in Lucknow — a city with a rich cricketing heritage and deep passion for the game.
Pool-C Match Results — Australian Joeys
The Australian Joeys played three T20 pool matches between 14th and 16th December:
- 14 December 2025 — Australian Joeys vs Dev Savera Smashers, Patna · Sports Galaxy Ground
- 15 December 2025 — Australian Joeys vs DAV Super Kings, Amritsar · Paarth Republic Ground
- 16 December 2025 — SGVP Gladiators, Ahmedabad vs Australian Joeys · CMS Ground
Watch the match highlights from the ISCL 2025 pool stage:
📺 Batting Highlights — Australian Joeys vs Dev Savera Smashers
📺 Bowling Highlights — Australian Joeys vs Dev Savera Smashers
📺 Ram vs Dev Savera Smashers — Full Highlights
📺 Full Match Highlights — Australian Joeys vs DAV Super Kings
📺 Fours & Sixes Compilation — vs DAV Super Kings
The Experience — ISCL 2025, Lucknow
The week was immersive from the first day. Registration on 13th December was followed by a press conference, a group photograph of all national and international participants, and a Grand Cultural Evening — an inauguration ceremony introducing all 16 teams with cultural performances and a welcome dinner.
The facilities at CMS Ground were outstanding: a fully equipped control room with separate media, technical, and scoring booths, professional pitch preparation, and crowds from the local school and cricket community filling the ground for every match.
One of the most memorable moments of the entire tour came when Rinku Singh — India international and KKR star — visited the ISCL as a guest of honour. Meeting an India cricketer of that calibre, someone who rose from a small town in Uttar Pradesh to represent India, was an incredible experience for the whole squad.
The tour also included a visit to Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow — one of India's premier international venues — to watch a live match. Sitting in a packed stadium surrounded by passionate Indian cricket fans, wearing the Australian Joeys kit, was an unforgettable experience that reinforced just how deeply cricket runs through this country.
Competing against sides from Nepal, South Africa, Sri Lanka, and clubs across India was a completely different challenge to county club cricket in England. Different pitches, different bowling styles, different pace of play. Every match at the ISCL 2025 pushed me to adapt and find solutions under pressure — exactly the kind of experience that shapes a cricketer.
As a left-hand batter and left-arm off-spinner who normally plays in the Northants Cricket League Premier Division, stepping onto international turf in India reinforced how much I want to compete at the highest level possible.
Closing Ceremony — 19th December 2025
The Final was played on 19th December on CMS Ground, followed by the prize distribution ceremony and a farewell dinner. The entire week — the standard of cricket, Lucknow's warmth, and the organisation of the ISCL — left a lasting mark on me as a cricketer and as a person.
Thank you to City Montessori School, the ISCL organisers, and everyone who made the Australian Joeys' tour possible. This is a tournament I would encourage every young cricketer to experience.
Frequently Asked Questions — ISCL 2025
What is the ISCL?
The International School Cricket League (ISCL) is an annual international youth cricket tournament organised by City Montessori School (CMS), Lucknow, India. It brings together school-age cricketers from multiple countries to compete in T20 matches across CMS campuses in Lucknow.
When was the 7th ISCL held?
The 7th International School Cricket League 2025 was held from 13th to 19th December 2025 at City Montessori School, Kanpur Road Campus, Lucknow, India.
Which countries competed in ISCL 2025?
Teams from Australia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and multiple cities across India competed in the 7th ISCL 2025.
Who are the Australian Joeys?
The Australian Joeys are Australia's youth cricket representative team that participates in the ISCL. In the 7th ISCL 2025, they competed in Pool-C alongside Indian and South Asian youth sides.
Did Rinku Singh attend ISCL 2025?
Yes — India international and KKR star Rinku Singh attended the 7th ISCL 2025 in Lucknow as a guest of honour, meeting the competing squads at the opening ceremony.
Where can I see more photos from ISCL 2025?
The full photo gallery from the tour is available in the CMS ISCL 2025 gallery.