Cricket balls in one hand and a microphone in the other, Kiwi-Indian teen Sancy Prabhakar is showing that talent doesn’t have to follow a single path. Born in India and raised in New Zealand, the 17-year-old has grown up weaving together two worlds: the discipline and teamwork of the cricket field, and the creativity and emotion of music. At Mount Albert Grammar School, she has already earned recognition as both a skilled cricketer and a vocalist.
Her love for cricket started early. “When I was around six, my dad signed me up for cricket, and I just developed a love for it from then on,” Sancy recalled. The sport has taught her focus, teamwork, and consistency — qualities she applies to her music and academics as well.
Music, too, has been a constant in her life. “My dad sings, and a lot of people on his side of the family love to sing too — so that’s probably where I got it from,” she said. Her dedication has earned her Best Contemporary Musician, Arts Dux 2025, Best Vocal Production, and finalist spots in the Play It Strange competitions in both 2023 and 2025.
Balancing two demanding passions with schoolwork hasn’t been easy. “It definitely gets challenging at times,” she admitted. But
Sancy has learned to stay focused, organised, and committed to her goals, even when it meant missing out on typical teenage social life.
Her cricket journey has faced its hurdles. Last year, she was dropped from her school’s 1st XI Girls Team. “I felt really disappointed and angry, and for a while, I even thought about giving up,” she said. Encouraged by her parents, she persevered, worked harder, and made a triumphant return, earning the Best Bowler award this year. “That moment reminded me how strong I could be when I didn’t give up.”
Music, too, brought its own challenges. Sancy faced criticism and teasing for singing, which led her to step back for a while. But she refused to let others define her. “At the start of this year, I decided that people are going to judge no matter what, so I might as well do what I love.” The renewed confidence allowed her to flourish — performing alongside local artists like Melodownz and Mazbou Q while collecting further accolades.
Growing up in New Zealand has shaped Sancy’s outlook on both cricket and music. “New Zealand’s sporting culture really pushed
me to stay competitive and committed,” she said. “And the creative scene here gives you the freedom to express yourself, no matter your background or style.”
Her Kiwi-Indian upbringing has also been central to her success. She describes it as having “the best of both worlds” — the open-minded spirit of Kiwi culture combined with the strong sense of family, tradition, and work ethic from her Indian roots. Whether performing Bollywood routines at school or stepping onto the cricket field, Sancy proudly carries both her cultures with her.
Representation, she believes, matters. “I want to show that young Indian people, especially girls, can thrive in all kinds of spaces,” she said. “When people see someone who looks like them succeeding, it reminds them that they can do it too.”
Looking ahead, Sancy is determined to keep growing in both fields. “I want to keep releasing original music, perform at bigger shows, and collaborate with more creatives,” she said. “Ultimately, I want to inspire others to chase what they love, no matter how different or ambitious it might seem.”
From cricket pitches to concert stages, Sancy Prabhakar is proving that passion, perseverance, and pride in one’s heritage can create a journey that inspires — not just in one field, but in every arena she chooses to pursue.
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