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Technical Kisanखेती, तकनीक के साथ
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Sapota (Chikoo)All seasonsGrafted variety (on khirni rootstock)Updated 6 September 2026

Cricket Ball (Calcutta Large)

A large, round-fruited traditional variety with thicker skin and gritty, granular, moderately sweet pulp, performing well in both arid and humid climates and tolerating rough handling in transport better than thinner-skinned types.

SeasonAll seasons
Maturity periodFirst bearing ~3–4 years (grafted)
Expected yield100–140 kg/tree/year at full bearing
Suitable soilLoam

Quick facts

Crop
Sapota (Chikoo)
Type
Grafted variety (on khirni rootstock)
Season
All seasons
Maturity period
First bearing ~3–4 years (grafted)
Expected yield
100–140 kg/tree/year at full bearing
Suitable soil
Loam

About this variety

Cricket Ball, also known as Calcutta Large, is a long-established traditional sapota variety bearing a large, round fruit with a notably thicker skin than most other varieties. Its pulp is gritty, granular and moderately sweet rather than as refined as Kalipatti or CO-3, but the thicker skin gives it a real practical advantage: it tolerates rough handling and long-distance transport better than thinner-skinned types, which is part of why it remains a staple choice for traders moving fruit far from the orchard.

Key characteristics

    Plant typeGrafted variety (on khirni rootstock)
    MaturityFirst bearing ~3–4 years (grafted)
    Yield potential100–140 kg/tree/year at full bearing
    Disease resistanceNo special resistance claimed
    SoilLoam
    SeasonAll seasons

Yield & maturity

Maturity period

First bearing ~3–4 years (grafted)

Expected yield

100–140 kg/tree/year at full bearing

Actual yield depends on sowing time, soil, irrigation, weather, seed quality and crop management.

Pest & disease considerations

Major diseases

  • No special resistance claimed

Advantages & considerations

Why farmers may choose it

  • Thicker skin tolerates rough handling and long-distance transport well
  • Performs well in both arid and humid climates
  • A long-established, widely understood traditional variety

Things to consider

  • Pulp is gritty and less refined than Kalipatti or CO-3
  • No special disease resistance claimed

Suitable regions

States this variety is recommended for — check locally, since a state can have more than one recommended zone.

  • widely grown across sapota belts