Ever been to Aizawl? It is a beautiful city sitting in the lap of the Lushai Hills. The city itself has a charm, a magnificent warmth and one more thing, they love their football. But growing up in the football-mad
city, Joseph Lalthankhuma had other plans, Cricket!
It may seem an irony, but the growth of cricket is at a nascent stage in the North-East states. Mizoram is one of the newest associations being roped in by the BCCI, and courtesy of this inclusivity, the players from far east are getting a taste of their dream.
Joseph Lalthankhuma, the current Mizoram captain, recently scored a fantastic century in the Ranji Trophy Plate match against Bihar. MyKhel caught up with him for an Exclusive Interview before the Bihar match, and the player opened up about a plethora of things, from his cricketing journey to the Rahul Dravid mantra.
From Jute Carpet Pitches to a Professional Arena
Joseph's story with Mizoram cricket began in his locality under coach Robert, who today chairs the Mizoram Cricket Association. When cricket in Mizoram was still in its infancy, facilities were basic.
"Before BCCI's affiliation, we only had jute carpets spread over football grounds," Joseph said. "The ball would bounce unpredictably on those surfaces mixed with sand and stones. "
It wasn't until 2018-19 that the Mizoram Cricket Association earned full BCCI affiliation-a turning point Joseph describes as "the moment everything began to change. " The Suaka Cricket Ground in Sihmui, about an hour from Aizawl, now boasts nine center pitches and several side practice surfaces, symbolizing the state's cricketing progress.
"After the affiliation, everything improved-the outfield, the turf, the practice facilities," he said. "Maybe in the next two or three years, we will be ready to host Ranji Trophy matches right here in Mizoram. "
A Reluctant Yet Resolute Captain
When Joseph was named captain, he admits he wasn't immediately thrilled. "Honestly, I didn't want to be captain," he laughs.
"There's a lot of pressure. But our seniors like Arman, KC Cariappa helped me a lot. They guide me through decisions-and that makes my job easier. "
Despite his youth, Joseph's leadership comes from empathy rather than assertion. "I just want to play my game, lead by example, and keep learning every day," he said. "I try not to think too much about the captaincy and focus on cricket. "
Breaking Barriers at Home
Like many athletes from the Northeast, Joseph faced family hesitation when he chose cricket over academics. Mizoram is a state which breathes football, and in the foothills of the hills, Joseph's love for cricket grew in his locality, but his parents were firmly against it.
"My parents didn't want me to pursue cricket after Class 12. My father was against it. I asked them for one chance in cricket they gave me that, and I grabbed it. I performed well and even got selected for the NCA camp. From then on, they became my biggest supporters. "
The community around him has also evolved with Mizoram's cricketing enthusiasm. "Earlier, people only talked about football. Now every corner of Aizawl has kids playing cricket, carrying kits, joining academies. There are around 15 to 20 academies now-it's incredible to see this growth. "
Dreams of IPL and a Life Beyond Cricket
Joseph, a Mumbai Indians fan since childhood, smiles when asked about the IPL. "I started watching cricket seriously during the 2011 World Cup. Sachin sir was my hero, so naturally I supported Mumbai. "
"Yes, I imagine myself playing IPL someday," Lalthankhuma says.
Beyond the field, he continues studying, having completed a BA in History and now pursuing a degree in Physical Education.
An Emerging Face of Northeast Cricket
For Joseph, representing Mizoram and the Northeast zone remains his proudest moment. "Playing for the North East Zone team in 2022-23 in Duleep Trophy was the most memorable part of my career. Even though I couldn't perform as I wanted, it made me more determined to do better next time. "
The Rahul Dravid Mantra
At just 25, Joseph leads Mizoram's senior team with humility and conviction-qualities deeply rooted in his upbringing and inspired in part by the words of one of India's greatest ever cricketers, Rahul Dravid.
"Rahul sir once told me four words I'll never forget - PRPP: Practice, Review, Play, Practice again," Joseph recalls with a smile.
"He said even if you play a hundred matches, if you don't review yourself, it's of no use. You should know your strengths and weaknesses-that's how you truly grow. "
Those golden words came during his time at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru, where Joseph trained among some of India's brightest young prospects. Though the camp was later affected by the COVID-19 disruptions, the experience left a lasting impression. Today, his focus remains clear: leading Mizoram cricket with vision, learning from every match, and passing on inspiration to the region's next generation.
As he puts it simply, "Cricket here is changing fast. And if we keep playing, reviewing, and practicing, just like Rahul sir said, we'll only get stronger. "
