Rosh Malhotra, Class of 2021

Rosh Malhotra (Class of 2021) has been immersed in cricket from a young age, captaining Trinity teams from U14 level and playing a key role in securing three Surrey Cups. Now studying Philosophy, Politics and Economics at the University of Leeds, he continues to balance academic life with high-level cricket for both the university and the Trinity MidWhitgiftian 1st XI. With experience coaching young players, touring internationally, and exploring cricket analytics and policy research, Rosh brings leadership, resilience, and strategic thinking to every field he steps onto— academic or sporting.

Reflecting on your time at Trinity, what role did cricket play in shaping your school experience?

Cricket played a huge role in shaping my time at Trinity. I was lucky to be in the A-team throughout, touring South Africa in Year 9 (even batting one-handed after breaking my collarbone!) and making my 1st XI debut in Year 10. We trained almost year-round— though I definitely don’t miss the 7am Monday sessions. Winning three Surrey Cups was a real highlight. The U12 final against Whitgift stands out: we were 50-5 before Zach Figueira and I rebuilt the innings, and Nathan Barnwell— now at Surrey—ripped through their top order. That win gave us real momentum. I started captaining in the U14 season and absolutely loved it. It taught me a lot about leadership and gave me confidence I took into the classroom. Cricket brought together a really diverse group of people, and the friendships and memories it gave me are still some of my favourites.

Were there any teachers or coaches at Trinity who had a significant impact on you, either academically or in sport?

My first interaction with Trinity was pretty memorable—I broke my arm playing rugby during the sports scholarship assessment! Thankfully, I was really well looked after, with Mr. Blyth even riding in the ambulance with me. In cricket, I learned a huge amount from ex-England players Mr. Salisbury and Mr. Brown, whose stories and coaching were invaluable. Mr. Schofield was always around, running extra sessions, and Mr. Beresford-Miller, who coached our year group throughout, created a relaxed, enjoyable environment— especially once I became U14 captain. Outside cricket, I got to know lots of staff through other sports too. A highlight was going unbeaten in our U14B hockey season, which ended with the late Mr. Burke taking us to McDonald’s. Academically, I was really supported by teachers like Mr. Magee, Mr. Patel, Mrs. Bromberg and especially Mr. Christian, who somehow ended up teaching me almost every year. I’m grateful to all of them for shaping who I am today.

Balancing cricket with your studies at Leeds, particularly in a demanding course like Philosophy, Politics and Economics, must be challenging. How do you manage your time effectively?

Balancing cricket with university work is definitely challenging, but I try to embrace it. I’ve always worked best when juggling different responsibilities, and that started back at Trinity during GCSEs and A-Levels. The school was great at helping me find a healthy balance. University is a different beast— there’s no set routine and no one chasing you up, so planning is everything. I keep a flexible schedule to make room for lastminute plans, and it helps me take breaks without feeling guilty because I know I’ll get the work done. I also lean on a strong support network, including friends, family, and my personal tutor. Winter is more manageable as it’s just training, but summer is trickier with weekly fixtures and travelling back to Croydon for games. I’ve had to miss the occasional match, and I’m learning to recognise when academics need to take priority. It’s all about balance.

You’ve achieved impressive success with the Trinity MidWhitgiftian 1st XI. What has been the highlight of your time playing for the club?

I’ve been with the club since I was 5, so it is hard to pick just one moment. However, the highlight would probably be winning the Sunday Trust League two years in a row and playing an important role both times. Those successes in 2018 and 2019 have really helped move the club forward and I am pleased to have been a part of that growth.

What are some of the biggest lessons cricket has taught you, both on and off the field?

Cricket has taught me so many lessons that apply well beyond the field. The setbacks, in particular, have shaped me—like being dropped from Surrey at 12. It was tough, but it pushed me to train harder and become more resilient. I never resented the decision or regretted the effort; it opened the door to amazing experiences with London Schools, including tours to South Africa and Sri Lanka. Cricket can be brutal— you might spend all day barely involved—but that teaches patience and the importance of taking your chances when they come. As I’ve got older, I’ve become more aware of just how transferable these lessons are. The biggest takeaway? There’s always another game. Whether in cricket or life, you’re going to lose sometimes—but what matters is how you respond. Keep working hard, and the next opportunity will come.

You’ve taken on leadership roles as a cricket coach, working with young players. How has coaching shaped your approach to the game and personal development?

Coaching has given me a renewed perspective on cricket and what is important. I may have a bad game on a Saturday, but then I am coaching the boys and girls on Sunday morning, and all is forgotten. It has been incredibly rewarding to see the fun they, their development, and their endless passion for the game. I would like to continue coaching for as long as I can because it reinforces the positive and fun elements of cricket, which I then take into how I approach my own matches. In a leadership sense, I continue to tailor my style to meet the needs of the different boys and girls I coach, as well as when I am communicating with the assistant coaches.

Your work experience spans financial regulation research, policy analysis, and even cricket analytics. Do you see parallels between your academic/ professional interests and cricket?

The Cricket analytics work I did was very enjoyable, and it would be great to work in cricket at some point if the right opportunity arises. I am fortunate to be starting a graduate role as an Assistant Project Manager in September. There is definitely some overlap in the transferable skills I have gained through cricket as a team player, coach and captain that will aid me in the role and in management roles more generally.

As one of the younger players in the 1st XI, what challenges have you faced competing at a high level, and how have you grown from them?

I’ve been the youngest regular in the side for a while now. I made my debut at 16 in 2019, but the following season was wiped out by COVID. 2021 was my first full year—we got relegated, which was frustrating after some strong individual performances, but it taught me that real progress takes time. Since then, we’ve bounced back with two consecutive promotions, which has been incredibly rewarding. This year I’m Saturday vice-captain and expect to step in when needed. I’ve captained our Sunday Trust League side, so I feel ready—even if leading players older than me, some with professional experience, brings new challenges. Thankfully, the team culture is really supportive. The standard is tough, but I enjoy testing myself against ex-pros and overseas players. Whether I play well or not, I always learn. My experiences with Surrey, London Schools, and touring in Singapore and Bali have all helped me grow.

What advice would you give to current Trinity students looking to balance academics with a serious commitment to sport?

Academics will always come first, but finding a balance is key. I’ve skipped games thinking it was the right call, only to spend the day following the score online anyway! It really comes down to self-discipline and knowing how to manage your time well. Having a support network—friends, coaches, tutors, parents—makes a big difference. I’ve also learned how important movement is for me. I can’t just sit at a desk all day; taking breaks actually helps me work more efficiently. My advice is to experiment and figure out what works for you. I struggled with that balance in Year 10 and my mock results weren’t great—2 in Latin and 4 in History— but I turned things around and ended up with top grades in both at A-Level. That experience taught me a lot. In interviews, time management has come up often, and I’m sure it helped me land my graduate offer.

Looking ahead, what are your aspirations—both in cricket and in your professional career—after university?

I will be starting my graduate role in September and aiming to help Trinity Mid-Whitgiftian’s continue pushing up the divisions. I am sure new challenges will arise as I continue to balance both facets. Looking to the future, I spent last year in Singapore playing cricket and studying at the National University of Singapore on a university exchange. I would be open to working and playing cricket abroad again at some point in the future, perhaps in Australia!