Dalal hails from Naguran in northern India and will have half of his Master of Business tuition fees paid for, while also being given the opportunity to play A Grade cricket.

For years he tried to pursue professional cricket representing the Chandigarh Cricket Association, though turned to studies when sport didn’t look like the most fruitful career. He chose to complete postgraduate studies in Australia because his sister and her family were settled in Sydney, and because of our nation’s love for sport.

“I’m so happy for this,” he said. “I now have time to give to my game, and improve myself.”

The medium pace bowler hoped the opportunity would not only open business doors for him, but allow him to eventually pursue professional cricket once again.

Gilchrist has traveled to India for 15 years and attested to how difficult it was for young cricketers in the country to combine their sport with education or a career outside of the game.

The Australian legend knows Dalal’s home very well, having played three years for the Kings XI Punjab in the Indian Premier League where Chandigarh was their hometown. He said from the sporting perspective it was an area “full of passion and desire for the game of cricket”.

Gilchrist was named Australia’s ambassador for education in August with the role to strengthen ties with India. He said education was close to his heart coming from a household of teachers.

“I was enrolled to be here and then I got a cricket scholarship and went and pursued my cricketing dreams, now 20 years later i’m back,” said Gilchrist.

The yearly scholarship is awarded to any male or female Indian student who’s completed high school and shows strong academic, personal and social skills plus strong cricket participation.