Cricket players will soon have a store in Rancho Bernardo where they can check out high-quality equipment and try on gear — a first for Southern California.
Kaziranga Pro Cricket Outfitters will hold a grand opening celebration at 4 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 12 in The Plaza Rancho Bernardo.
The 750-square-foot boutique-style store and online shop was the idea of Rancho Bernardo resident Sazz Rahman, its co-founder and CEO, and San Marcos resident Cassel Fernandes, co-founder and owner.
“My kids play cricket and, like many others, I used to buy their gear online, hoping it would be the right fit when they got on the pitch,” Rahman said. “It became clear that Southern California cricketers needed a dedicated space where they could receive expert guidance and try out their gear before purchasing. That’s why I created Kaziranga Pro Cricket Outfitters.”
Cricket is a bat-and-ball game with two teams of 11 players on the field. While some may view cricket as similar to baseball, Rahman said, “the games are very different.”
Rahman said he played on teams as a teen and now helps his 10-year-old twin sons with their cricket skills.
He said the closest retail stores that sell cricket gear are in San Francisco to the north and Texas to the east.
“We are the first brick-and-mortar in Southern California,” Rahman said.
Fernandes said she played cricket as a child in India and is looking forward to resuming the sport here.
“I’m thrilled to be part of the movement to support cricket’s growth and to serve the community of players here in Southern California,” Fernandes said. “My hope is that Kaziranga Pro Cricket Outfitters will become a central hub for cricketers of all ages, abilities and backgrounds across the country.
“It’s especially exciting for me to contribute to the growth of women’s cricket in the U.S.,” Fernandes added.
Rahman said the sport’s origins date back to the 1300s. It became popular in what is now the United Kingdom and Australia by the 1700s and 1800s.
“It is one of the oldest games popular in Europe, Australia and Southeast Asia,” he said.
According to USA Cricket, the sport is also growing in popularity in the United States. There are over 400 leagues and more than 200,000 players nationwide. It is expected to expand here after the 2024 T20 Cricket World Cup was held at venues in Texas, Florida and New Jersey.
The store’s founders said there are over 50 cricket teams in San Diego playing year-round.
A popularity boom is likely when cricket returns to the 2028 Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Cricket was only included once before, during the 1900 Olympics in Paris.
According to Rahman, some cricket games attract a larger worldwide audience than the Super Bowl because of its popularity overseas.
“There is huge potential from a business standpoint,” Rahman said. “There will be community awareness and spread of the game.”
Those who play now, from youths to professionals, typically buy their gear and equipment from online sellers like Amazon or warehouse retailers, or they buy high-quality, pro level items when traveling to the U.K., Australia or India.
Rahman said buying online can be risky and time consuming. Customers often do not know the quality of what they are buying, they have to wait for shipment and if something is not to their liking have to return it.
“This is a place for those like me who like to see and try out before buying because it is expensive,” Fernandes said. “If you want quality stuff there is no opportunity (in this part of the U.S.)”
Kaziranga — named after a national park in India that is home to the one-horned rhinoceros (the store’s logo) — will be a one-stop shop for high-quality items, especially from overseas. This includes shirts, shoes and gear including bats, balls and batting cages.
Rahman said opening the store in Rancho Bernardo makes a lot of demographic sense since many who play are in the North County.
“Rancho Bernardo is one of the best areas of San Diego and very central,” he said, noting many who live in this area have roots in Southeast Asia, England and Australia, countries where cricket is very popular.
“Most live in Mira Mesa, Poway, San Marcos, Escondido and Rancho Bernardo,” he said. “I live in RB and know of its potential. It is a very good hub.”
Kaziranga Pro Cricket Outfitters will be at 16777 Bernardo Center Drive, Suite E-5 in The Plaza Rancho Bernardo. It is next to KZ Jewelry Designs and near the shopping center’s clock tower.
Hours will be 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesdays to Fridays, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, and closed on Mondays. Its store website at kazirangacricket.com will also go live on Sept. 12 when the store opens.
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