World Cup call for all-rounder Mohali girl

Two years into his daughter Amanjot Kaur making it to the Indian women cricket team, Bhupinder Singh had never been as happy as he was today. The BCCI has announced the Indian Women’s ODI World Cup squad and his daughter Amanjot Kaur is part of it.

The Mohali girl has cemented her place in the Indian squad for the Women’s World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka from September 30.

Amanjot, who represented Chandigarh for almost four years and now plays for Punjab, is an example of rising from the streets. Her father, a carpenter by profession, still runs his shop in Balongi and claims this day as the ‘best’ for his family.

“Waheguru da shukar hai, kudi di mehant kam ayi (Thank God, her hard work paid off),” said an elated Bhupinder after his daughter’s selection to the squad.

All-rounder Amanjot, who was picked by Mumbai Indians for Rs 50 lakh in 2023 for the Women’s Premier League, has sharpened her cricketing skills under coach Nagesh Gupta. She began primarily as a bowler, before Gupta noticed her bat swing.

She made her debut in domestic cricket for Punjab in 2017-18 and switched to Chandigarh from 2019 to 2022 before moving back to Punjab. She had bagged the Player-of-the-Match award on her T20I debut.

Amanjot, who has risen through the ranks to become one of the key all-rounders for India, missed the last two ODIs against England last month due to a back injury.

“She is an exceptional cricketer, who has worked pretty hard on her timing and batting skills. She has proved her mettle at various platforms, and I hope she will continue to do so for the nation in the upcoming World Cup,” said Gupta.

Amanjot is currently attending the camp at the National Cricket Academy. The Indian team is scheduled to play Sri Lanka on September 30, followed by their matches against Pakistan on October 5 , South Africa on October 9, Australia on October 12, England on October 19, New Zealand on October 23 and Bangladesh on October 26.