New Delhi [India]/USA, August 11: In a unique blend of sports, culture, and shared purpose, Cricmax Connect—the community-driven cricket initiative founded by Indian entrepreneurs in the United States—achieved a symbolic milestone by meeting U.S. Senator Cory Booker at a private event in New Jersey.
The conversation, led by Cricmax Connect founder Vinay Bhimjiani, was part of an influential gathering uniting voices from U.S. politics and South Asian-led innovation. While the evening primarily supported Senator Booker’s leadership efforts, it also sparked a lively exchange about cricket’s evolving role in American society, especially among the expanding Indian diaspora and multicultural youth.
A memorable highlight from the evening was Senator Booker receiving a custom Cricmax jersey featuring the number “25:05,” a tribute to his historic 25-hour, 5-minute Senate floor speech. The gesture honored his resilience, advocacy, and progressive leadership. The Senator also autographed a cricket bat and spoke about cricket’s rising popularity in New Jersey, which has a strong South Asian community presence.
“Cricket is more than just a game; it’s a cultural pulse for millions,” said Vinay Bhimjiani, Founder & CEO of Cricmax Connect. “For us at Cricmax Connect, cricket is a bridge that fosters inclusion, empowers youth, celebrates diaspora identity, and reimagines how the sport can grow in America. Meeting Senator Booker, a leader who represents inclusion and perseverance, sends a powerful message that the U.S. is ready to embrace cricket on a larger scale. We hope this dialogue opens doors for deeper collaborations, particularly in community development and education through sport.”
The Cricmax Connect team shared their vision of expanding cricket chapters throughout New Jersey, modeled after their successful community hubs in New Jersey and Los Angeles. The meeting reflects the beginning of broader discussions on sport as a form of soft power, with cricket serving as a new avenue for cross-cultural dialogue between India and the United States.
This engagement marks another important step toward positioning cricket as both a soft power and a community-building force in the United States, with Indian-origin entrepreneurs at the forefront of this movement.
