The TuksCricket team, under the captaincy of Jiveshan Pillay, aims to keep a unique tradition going from Monday when they contest in the 2022 Varsity Cricket edition at their home oval. To do so, means Tuks need to play in the final. 

Pillay considers himself privileged to have captained the team that won the 2019 Varsity Cricket title. That same year, he led Tuks to win the Red Bull Campus Cricket Tournament in Dubai.  His calm approach as captain led to the Tuks student-athlete being the best batsman during the Red Campus Tournament. In five games, he amassed 245 runs. Pillay had the distinction of being the only batsman to score a century.  

It seems Pillay has a knack for big shots in T20. One of his best performances in Varsity Cricket was when he scored 134 runs in a must-win game against North-West University a few seasons back.

"I quite enjoy T20 cricket. It is fun and exciting. Every ball is an 'event'. As a batsman, you get to express yourself.

"Captaining comes naturally to me. The thing about T20 cricket is that things change so quickly. Sometimes, it takes only one over to change the outcome of the game. And those are exciting times because, as a captain, it forces you to think on your feet. I am the one that needs to come up with a solution for any problem that arises on the field."

This is why Pillay is an avid student of the game. Whenever he has free time, he watches cricket on the television. 

"It is vital to do so as I learn a lot about field placements and the tactics other captains use. But then again, the things I have learned from personal experience have also stood me in good stead as a captain.I have been lucky to play for the Titans alongside players who play for the Proteas. They bring an international edge to the game."

According to Pillay, the Tuks side that plays North-West University on Monday is quite balanced. 

"I am confident that we will be able to cover all bases from a batting, bowling and fielding experience. Quite a few of our players will be playing Varsity Cricket for the first time, which excites me. From personal experience, I know that young players have something to prove about their value to the team."

Since the tournament's inception in 2015, Tuks have been in action in every final. They were victorious in 2015, 2016, 2018 and 2019. The only time they lost was in 2017. It was North-West University that overthrew them.

Visit varsitysportssa.com, for all 2022 VVarsity Cricket fixtures