Ep 35 – Harjas Singh: From Punjabi Martial Arts to Staying Present, Breathwork & Becoming a NSW Pro

We sit down with Harjas Singh, one of the most exciting young left-handed batters in Australian cricket.

Harjas is a 2024 Under-19 World Cup winner, Australia’s top scorer in the final against India, the Western Suburbs batter who smashed a record-breaking 314 off 141 balls, and has now earned his first NSW rookie contract.

In this conversation, Harjas opens up about what the NSW rookie contract means to him, how life changes when cricket becomes your profession, and the hard work still ahead as he looks to push towards a full contract and future BBL opportunities.

We also explore one of the most unique parts of Harjas’ journey, his background in Sikh/Punjabi martial arts. Harjas explains how training with sticks and swords from a young age helped develop his wrist and arm strength, and how that physical base carries into his batting.

This episode also dives deep into the mental side of the game. Harjas shares how breathwork helps him manage adrenaline, calm his nerves, stay present, and avoid getting caught up in past failures or future outcomes. He reflects on the mindset shift that helped him enjoy his cricket more, focus on his Monday to Friday preparation, and produce a breakout season in NSW Premier Cricket.

We also discuss:

His 314 off 141 balls and the mindset behind trying to hit every ball for six
Scoring 55 in the Under-19 World Cup final against India
The tight semi-final against Pakistan
Playing alongside Sam Konstas, Harry Dixon, Hugh Weibgen, Callum Vidler and the U19 World Cup squad
His Sydney Sixers experience and learning from players like Steve Smith, Babar Azam and Jack Edwards
The importance of switching off between balls
Why young cricketers should enjoy the game and not overcomplicate it

A fascinating conversation on culture, power hitting, breathwork, pressure, staying present, and the journey from junior cricket to becoming a NSW professional.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction
00:36 NSW rookie contract and becoming a pro
03:55 Punjabi martial arts and life outside cricket
08:30 Faith, adrenaline and demonstrations
10:00 How martial arts connects to batting
11:21 Breathwork and controlling nerves
14:02 Staying present and calm
16:10 Batting instincts, zones and the 314 mindset
19:14 Junior cricket, pressure and enjoying the game
22:23 Preparation over outcomes
23:44 Family, Westfields and his dad’s influence
28:53 Facing genuine pace and Australia U19 selection
32:40 England U19 debut and Youth Test hundred
38:12 U19 World Cup memories
41:22 World Cup final against India
44:16 Sydney Sixers and learning from elite players
48:57 Breakout Premier Cricket season and adapting formats
52:19 Switching off between balls
54:35 Matchups, T20 batting and grade cricket lessons
57:12 Best players, hardest bowlers and best advice
01:00:10 Advice for young cricketers
01:00:59 Final words