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Cricket: The Unsung Hero That Gave Us Wings to DreamCricket isn’t just a sport in India — it’s a heartbeat. A culture. A dream stitched into every childhood. And if you’ve grown up anywhere between dusty gullies and polished turf wickets, chances are you’ve had your fingers wrapped around an SS bat.SS — short for Sareen Sports — is not just a cricket gear brand. It’s the quiet presence in a loud game. The partner that’s always been there, whether you were playing in front of a roaring crowd or just five friends on a Sunday morning.Some brands shout. SS doesn’t. It speaks in silence — through the grain of the willow, the worn-out grip of a glove, the sweet thud of a middled shot. It’s not about branding for them. It’s about belonging.The Humble Beginnings in Meerut\Our story starts in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh — not just another city, but the very pulse of Indian cricket. It’s a place where dreams didn’t only take shape on dusty grounds but were quietly brought to life in humble workshops, where every bat was carefully made with a whole lot of heart and hopeThere, hardworking hands carefully carved willow and wrapped every bat with hope. This was a time before social media and flashy ads — just pure passion and honest effort doing all the talking. No influencer marketing. Just hard work. Wood. Leather. Sweat. And a desire to make something that players could trust.By the mid-1970s, SS launched the now iconic Sunridges range of bats. Players didn’t flock to it because of celebrity deals. They came because word of mouth spread — “Yeh bat kuch alag hai.” (“This bat is something special.”)Not Just a Bat, But a MemoryIf you ask any cricketer — amateur or professional — about their first “real” bat, many will say “SS.” And not because someone famous used it, but because they felt something the moment they held it.It could have been an SS Ton, Gladiator, Master, or the legendary SS Limited Edition. Didn’t matter. What mattered was the connection — the balance, the pickup, the grains that ran straight like a promise.I still remember holding my first SS bat. It wasn’t fancy. It didn’t have stickers that shone like fireworks. But it felt right. It felt like cricket.Crafted with Soul, Not Just SkillOne thing that makes SS stand apart is that it’s not just a manufacturer. It’s a craftsman. Every bat that comes out of their Meerut facility carries the fingerprints of people who understand cricket, not just machinery.Their bats are made from the finest English willow and Kashmir willow, depending on the model. But willow is just the starting point. The magic happens in the shaping — the press, the weight distribution, the handle flex.They don’t chase trends like oversized edges or neon designs. They perfect the feel. That’s why players like VVS Laxman, Virender Sehwag, Yuvraj Singh, and Kumar Sangakkara picked up SS bats — not because a contract told them to, but because their hands did. Because when it mattered most, they trusted the feel, the balance, the soul of the bat — and that trust can’t be bought.Today, you’ll still see Quinton de Kock, Shivam Dube, Jonny Bairstow, and others carrying SS bats — sometimes under sponsor stickers, but if you look closely, you’ll recognize that familiar Sunridges shape. You’ll know.From Gully Cricket to Global GroundsSS is one of those rare brands that exists in both the lanes and the lights. You’ll find it in the hands of a 12-year-old kid playing barefoot in a narrow alley. You’ll find it in a Ranji Trophy match. You’ll find it in nets sessions, school tournaments, street battles, club matches, and even in the World Cup.And that’s what makes SS so real.It doesn’t pretend to be exclusive. It’s a brand for everyone who loves the game — whether you’re playing for India or just playing for fun.Gloves, Pads, Balls — All Made with the Same PassionThough known mostly for bats, SS has mastered the full kit.Their gloves offer comfort without compromise. Lightweight, breathable, with proper finger protection — they make you feel safe and free at the same time.Their pads are built for long innings. Not just stylish, but strong, with the kind of foam layering that supports your legs during hot, humid hours at the crease.Their balls? The SS Test and SS Club balls are used in tournaments across India. Durable, perfectly stitched, with seam that lasts. Not too hard, not too soft. Just right — like everything they make.Even their kit bags, with heavy-duty wheels and multi-compartments, show you how well they understand the needs of cricketers.They don’t make gear to sell. They make it to serve.Innovation with SimplicityIn an age of smart bats, glowing pads, and aggressive marketing, SS chooses the old-school route. But don’t mistake their simplicity for stagnation.They’ve improved bat profiles, optimized weight distribution, used better adhesives and handle binding techniques. Their Ton Reserve Edition bats are absolute masterpieces — light, powerful, responsive. Their TON Elite and Heritage series prove that innovation doesn’t always mean reinvention. Sometimes, it just means refinement.What SS has mastered is this: modern thinking, traditional soul.Players’ Brand, Not a Marketing MachineWalk into any sports shop in India and ask for a bat. The shopkeeper will probably say, “SS dekh lo, bhai. Paisa vasool hai.” (“Take a look at SS. It’s worth the money.”) That’s the reputation it carries.It’s a player’s brand — not because of endorsement deals, but because of experience. Players recommend it to players. Coaches recommend it to trainees. Fathers gift it to sons.You don’t buy SS because of Instagram. You buy it because someone you trust said, “Try it once.”The Emotional Connect: It’s Always Been ThereWhen you look back at your cricketing years, you remember the sixes, the missed chances, the early mornings, and the sunburns. But you also remember your gear — and often, that memory includes SS.That bat you taped after a crack, refusing to throw it away.That glove with the little tear you still used because it felt lucky.That ball that lost its shine but not its spirit.That’s SS. It’s not just equipment. It’s a part of your story.A Brand That’s Rooted, Not RushedIn today’s world, brands are desperate to grow fast. SS has taken a different path — steady, deep-rooted growth. It’s one of the biggest exporters of cricket gear today. Its products are used across Australia, England, South Africa, Sri Lanka, UAE, and Canada.But it hasn’t lost its Indian core. It still operates from Meerut. It still supports local artisans. It still supplies to small-town shops with the same care as big cities.That loyalty to its roots is what makes SS feel personal. It doesn’t act like it’s above the game. It acts like it belongs to it.Looking Ahead — The Game Changes, But the Spirit StaysCricket is evolving fast — with formats like T20, T10, The Hundred, and franchise leagues popping up every year. But through all this noise, SS remains steady.They’re adapting — releasing lighter gear, shorter-handle bats for power hitters, new rubber grips for better sweat control — but without losing their identity.They’re also focusing more on junior gear, women’s gear, and custom-made options for serious players.They’re growing. But they’re doing it the right way — with heart.Final Words: SS Is Not Just a Brand, It’s a CompanionSome brands make products. SS makes memories.It’s there when you score your first fifty.It’s there when you get out for a duck and feel like breaking your bat — but don’t, because it’s your SS.It’s there in your garage, dusty but alive.It’s there in old photos and video clips, in box scores and bruised palms.There through it all, steady and true.And that’s what gives it its magic.SS doesn’t ask you to choose it. It quietly waits for you to find it. And when you do — it becomes part of your cricketing soul.As long as cricket is played in India and beyond, in gully corners or in Test arenas, SS will be there — not with noise, but with quiet, loyal presence.The kind only a true cricket lover can understand.