In a series of interviews, TME looks to explore cricket in Germany and the individuals responsible for the growth of the game in the most unlikely of countries.

German born Krishna Cholleti has an Indian heritage and of course, a cricketing background. Growing up with cricket in Germany he took to the game like a duck to water and hasn't looked back since. The young student is currently in high school whilst he plays league cricket, recently captaining the Bavarian Under 19 Cricket team at the tender age of 17. The Munich Eye spoke to him about his ambitions on the cricket field.

You are currently the captain of the Bavarian Under 19 Cricket team. How did you get involved in the game and where did it all start for you?

First of all my dad is from India and he grew up with cricket, as every child does there. He passed this passion for the game on to me and so I grew up with a bat in my hands before I could even walk. As I grew older, I got into several junior national teams such as U15, U17 and U19 and luckily I was chosen to captain the U19 Bavarian team.

Was it difficult learning the game?

No. Not at all. The passion towards the game took away all the difficulties. I was just swinging and trying to smash the ball when I was small.

Germany is not known for its cricket per say. How much has it changed since you started playing?

There has been a lot of development since I started playing. The German team has got better and better and we've risen up two divisions.

What does the future of the game hold both in Germany and Europe?

We're on the right path with the work we've done so far but German cricket has a way to go yet. The sport has to be brought into the public eye more. When you ask people on the street most of them won't know about cricket or will mix it up with crocket. In Europe things are different. In many countries the conditions are more suited to playing and not just in terms of the weather, but also in terms of organisation and facilities. These countries will develop and Germany has to do well in order to compete with them.

How often are training sessions and games held?

It depends on the season. In winter, training is very difficult and we can only manage to it once or twice a week. In summer though, I often train more than three times a week because we have at least one league game every week.

Do you follow international cricket a lot?

Yes. It has always been a great help to watch the professionals play and learn from their excellent technique.

What has been your favourite moment of playing cricket?

When I played a warm up game for the U17 side against a local club and scored a hundred.

What are your ambitions for your cricketing career?

I would love to play for the German national team someday.

What does German cricket need to keep on growing?

I think German cricket has to focus more on youth development. The future of the sport lies with the youth. They have started to develop youth cricket in the last season, which is very progressive, but this start has to be continued.

What has your experience as a captain at the junior level taught you and what are your responsibilities?

It was a great thing to captain the team and I'd love to do it again. I've gained a lot of experience because as a captain you are responsible for the team. Win or lose, the captain always has to motivate the team and keep their spirits up.

Who is your favourite cricketing hero?

VVS Laxman!