Canada captain Dilpreet Bajwa says associate nations are not asking for sympathy from the global cricketing community but for consistent opportunities, asserting that the gap with full-member teams is driven more by exposure than talent.

Bajwa credited the rise of franchise cricket in Canada as a crucial lifeline for players who otherwise struggle for regular match practice, particularly during the country’s long winters.

‘’I think, first of all, I would like to thank Yuvraj (Singh) Bhai, who bought Canada Super 60 because this is what we were lagging this year, because of our schedule, we were not able to play franchise cricket. GT20 was not there last year. But thank you, Yuvraj Singh and Abhishek Shah, that they brought franchise cricket in North America,” Bajwa told PTI.

“It is helpful when we are not able to play consistent cricket, but they had a different plan…For the first time, we have seen a franchise cricket being played indoor. And when it is snowing outside, it is raining, but still we are playing cricket…it is a very proud moment, that as a Canadian, we have that indoor stadium”, he added.

Drawing parallels with India’s transformation after the launch of the IPL, Bajwa underlined the importance of private investment alongside board initiatives.

“This is the same thing, when IPL came to India, a franchise, a private sector, came forward…Today, you can see how big IPL is, how big Indian cricket has become. So yeah, our board and all the investors who are coming to Canada, this is their plan, that the more private sectors come, they should help grow cricket. Because the board can't do anything alone, along with that, we need private sectors. The board is making efforts, sending the boys on pre-tour, doing everything. So yeah, it's very helpful.”

While indoor leagues offer year-round continuity, Bajwa stressed that structured backing from bigger boards throughout the calendar would fast-track growth.

“Yes, we want to, but, due to some funds, now, Cricket Canada is also doing well, like, private sector is coming, they are generating good money, but, yeah, due to funds, there is some problem, we want, but, yeah, in future, Cricket Canada is planning, to keep the players busy, as much as they can, and that is what is needed, as a destination country, they stay busy”, he said.

Emphasising that ability is not the issue, he added, “There is not much difference, the only difference is that we are not able to play cricket, talent-wise, I think, we have very good talent, as a Canadian.”

Canada’s own World Cup build-up highlighted those challenges. After qualifying, the team went seven months without playing a T20I before heading to Sri Lanka for preparation.

“Nothing much, first of all, we played the World Cup qualifiers, in which we checked and qualified. After that, we had a gap of 7 months, we didn't play any T20I, because of which we went to Sri Lanka for a pre-tour. We have just come here (Delhi) from there for the World Cup,” Bajwa said.

“And the 7 months that we didn't play cricket, that gave us a little downfall…And I think the board did a very good job, for the players, they thought to send them for a pre-tour. And we did a good preparation, played with Sri Lanka A development squad.

The gulf in experience became apparent against a Test-playing nation like South Africa, where Bajwa was dismissed off the first ball.

“This experience is always bad when you get out on the first ball. It's not a good experience,” he admitted.

“But we were lucky. This is what we were watching, because we play with most of their bowlers come to play GT20, and come to play Super 60 in Canada, and we are international players. So yeah, (Lungi) Ngidi, I had never played before, so like De Kock and Aiden Markram, they were checking our bowlers, in the first over, they didn't offer many shots. So I was also going to check from my side what variations they would be able to do. And luckily, they left and hit the edge.”

“But yeah, I think, their combination, their bowling combination is very good. And the challenge they gave us, they took 4-5 wickets early on. But yeah, our bowlers did a good job towards the end…”, he added.

Off the field, Bajwa said interacting with senior Indian players during a training session in Delhi proved deeply motivating.

“Everyone will be motivated, if you talk to the a World Cup-winning player(Gautam Gambhir), who is the coach of the Indian team, the biggest team, and, if the coach of that team is motivating you, why won't your players be motivated, they will definitely be motivated,” he said.

“And, when such players, come and talk to us, our boys get to learn, and, we don't need anything else, I guess, because, we don't get to meet them, when we play, in a franchise, like in Canada, we don't get to meet Indian players, because, they have a contract, with their own board, so, when we come to the world cup, and get to talk to them, get to listen to their experience.”Bajwa also praised India skipper Suryakumar Yadav for his humility.

“I mean, he doesn't show off that he is an Indian player…we have friends back home, right, so, we feel like, we are in Canada, and he came there, talked to us and motivated us, so, that's how it is.”

“I wanted to meet Arsh, we were together in Punjab, Abhishek and Arsh were playing, unfortunately, he was not here…I will meet him later, if possible, after the match. It would have been good to meet him, because I have a good relationship with his family, he is like a brother, so it would have been great to meet him, but, unfortunately, there won't be a meet up”, he signed off.