Vadodara: When Akshay More walked out to bat in the Baroda Premier League just three days ago, few could have imagined the spectacle that was about to follow. By the time he walked back, the 29-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman from Ami Super Avengers had turned the match into his personal highlight reel—hammering a blazing 44-ball century, including a jaw-dropping sequence of 11 sixes in just 14 deliveries.The ground was left stunned, and the innings quickly became the defining talking point of the tournament Behind the fireworks on the field lies a story shaped by struggle and quiet sacrifice. Akshay’s father, Bhim More, works as a bank security guard. Financial hardship during his childhood meant his parents made the difficult decision to leave him in the care of his grandmother, Chandrabhaga, in the city.“Our financial condition was not good. My parents could not afford my education and other expenses, so I was raised by my grandmother,” Akshay recalled. “She is the reason I am here today.”Chandrabhaga worked as a cook at the residence of Virendra Shandilya, trustee of Bal Bhavan. It was she who encouraged Akshay to pursue cricket and helped him gain admission to Bal Bhavan, where his fees were waived on the trustee’s recommendation. That decision opened the door to structured training and early selection into the Under-12 team.His cricketing path evolved unexpectedly when, during an Under-16 match, he was asked to keep wickets in the absence of the regular keeper. What began as an emergency assignment soon became his identity on the field.Akshay went on to represent Darshanam for five years before joining the Youth Service Centre (YSC), where he trained under coaches Santosh Choughule and Anand Sanket. He eventually made his Ranji Trophy debut in 2022, though a consistent place in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy has still eluded him.In recent years, however, his form has begun to turn heads. “I played in the BPL last year and in the Shri Kiran More Premier League this year, where I was named best batter of the tournament,” he said.While his surname often sparks curiosity due to its similarity with former India wicketkeeper Kiran More of Vadodara, Akshay’s journey is entirely his own. There is no family connection—only coincidence and inspiration.“We are not related in any manner. I do look up to Kiran More sir because I am also a wicketkeeper-batsman like him,” Akshay said. “He has always been my inspiration.”His ambitions are now clear: to become a regular in the Baroda senior team across formats, and eventually break into the Indian Premier League.
