Jalandhar: As the clock strikes 4.15 pm, a group of young girls wearing pads and holding bats are ready to start practising and hone their batting skills. With big dreams, they gather at Jalandhar’s Burlton Park every day and play for two hours. 25 girls aged between 11 and 20 are being given free training by the Jalandhar Cricket Association to make their dreams a reality. Cricket is a passion and emotion for 16-year-old Rajni, Khushboo and Meethi. The fathers of all the three girls work in factories and the budding cricketers ensure that they reach the ground for practising after returning from school. They watch cricket matches on TV and hope that one day people will see them on screen. Khushboo started practising cricket around three years ago, she said, adding that it was not easy for her to buy a cricket kit given her parents’ financial condition. “But my father said if it is my passion then I should pursue it. “He said he would do anything to make my dream come true,” Khushbu told The Tribune. A fan of Smriti Mandhana and the way she plays the game, Khushbu says she would like to imbibe the international player’s skills in her game too. Women’s team coach Sharandeep Kaur said the girls have made it to the state and national levels. “I see a lot of potential in them. I tell them to adopt discipline and focus, only then will they be able to achieve their goals,” she said. Rajni and Meethi also aspire to be the best, for which they practice daily without fail. Rajni’s favourite player is Harmanpreet Kaur. “The way she strikes the ball amazes me. I want the same kind of accuracy in my game too,” Rajni said. The budding cricketer is also inspiring other girls to come forward, play and follow their passion.
Jalandhar: Young girls dream of making a big name in cricket
