Along with boys, Sirsa girls make the cut in cricket

Known for producing young male cricketers, Sirsa district in Haryana is now witnessing a steady rise in girls stepping forward in the sport, reflecting a broader change in Indian cricket at the grassroots level.

At a time when Sirsa boy Kanishk Chauhan is making headlines with his great performances for India at the Under-19 level, a young girl from the same district is also preparing to shine on a national platform. Eighteen-year-old Anjali from Handi Khera village has qualified for the WPL Speed Queen Grand Finale organised by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and is at present training for the final event to be held in Mumbai.

Anjali, the daughter of farmer Subhash, has impressed selectors with her bowling speed and consistency. She earned her place in the grand finale after clocking a speed of 101.38 km per hour during the WPL Speed Queen trials held in Gurugram on January 8. These trials were conducted across different parts of the country, with only a limited number of players selected for the final stage.

For the past five years, Anjali has been training regularly at the Shaheed Bhagat Singh Stadium in Sirsa under coach Shankar Saini. Starting from basic training, she gradually developed into a medium-fast bowler through disciplined practice and hard work. She has already represented Sirsa at Under-16 and Under-18 levels and is now part of the Under-19 category.

Coach Shankar Saini said Anjali’s selection was a major achievement, especially for a girl coming from a rural area. “The trials were held across India, and reaching the grand finale from a place like Sirsa is a big thing,” he said. “I am confident she will perform well in Mumbai and continue to improve.”

Anjali’s routine reflects her commitment to the sport. She travels daily from her village to the stadium for practice and has rarely missed a session in the last five years. Her family plays a key role in supporting her journey. Her grandfather, parents and other family members often help with travel arrangements, ensuring she can focus on training. Her mother accompanies her in Mumbai as she prepares for the finale.

Her father Subhash said he never believed that daughters were any less capable than sons. “Daughters are not behind sons, they are often ahead,” he said. “My daughter dreams of playing for the country. As parents, we are only supporting her efforts. The rest depends on her hard work and destiny.” He added that he feels proud to see Anjali representing her village and district at a national level.

Officials say Anjali’s progress reflects a wider shift in attitude towards women’s cricket. Sirsa Cricket Association secretary Dr Ved Beniwal said the Indian women’s team’s recent World Cup victory has played an important role in changing mindsets. “Cricket is no longer just a gentlemen’s game. It has become a game for everyone,” he said.

Dr Beniwal noted that Sirsa was proud of both its male and female players. While Kanishk Chauhan has brought recognition through his performances at the Under-19 World Cup, including a man-of-the-match display against Pakistan, Anjali’s selection for the WPL Speed Queen Grand Finale is equally significant. “She will act as a role model for other girls,” he said, adding that parents and coaches have a crucial role in encouraging young talent.

To support this growing interest, the Sirsa Cricket Association plans to organise a special 10-day training camp for girls later this year. The aim is to provide structured coaching and prepare a district-level girls’ team that can compete at the state level. Officials hope that, in the coming years, girls from Sirsa will represent India just as boys from the district already do.