First call-up to India at the age of 33, Asha hopes Shobana’s journey will inspire other women cricketers

At the age of 33, South Central Railway (Secunderabad) all-rounder Asha Shobana is an inspiration to other women cricketers who are thinking of quitting the sport in their late 20s.

For the Thiruvananthapuram-born cricketer, who moved to Hyderabad 11 years ago for a job at SCR, it has been a real struggle, culminating in him getting his first call-up to represent India on Monday in the T20 series in Bangladesh next month. .

Shobana’s poor financial background (her father is an auto driver and her mother is a homemaker, and she is the only daughter in the family apart from her elder brother), did not stop her from pursuing her dream of making it big in women’s cricket.

“Yes, I have an example for all those who play domestic cricket and think of quitting the game in their mid-20s for various reasons. Asha Shobana said that they should enjoy the game and never quit.

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“Fortunately, I had the right people at the right time to support me whenever I didn’t have the money to buy the right kit and whenever I needed help morally as well as financially. In this regard, I am always grateful to my first coach Aaron George Thomas, my mentor late Shabeena Jacob, who helped me when women’s cricket was not merged with BCCI,” she explained in a chat. sports star After being felicitated by top officials of SCR here on Tuesday.

“Honestly, I was hoping to get a call to the national camp, not India. It was a big and pleasant surprise. A dream come true for me and my family,” he said.

“Playing in the WPL (Women’s Premier League) is a turning point for Royal Challengers Bangalore (winners this year). It’s a different kind of learning experience and exposure, just outside the world,” said a senior engineer at SCR.

“Winning the WPL has changed a lot for us in terms of recognition. Now, people recognize us and are looking for autographs and photo ops. The capacity crowd for all our WPL games is amazing,” he said.

“Well, Mithali has always been a huge inspiration to all who have played under her for SCR and Indian Railways. Although initially I had no knowledge of the three languages ​​English, Telugu and Hindi, I owe a lot to many, including coaches, officials and teammates, but I stayed in the comfort zone,” he said with a big smile.

Reflecting on her own game, Shobana said she would try to improve a lot, especially against former India leggie L. After getting some valuable tips from Sivaramakrishnan.

Any dreams? “To be part of the Indian team and win our first World Cup,” he said confidently.