Originally from Kerala, Minnu Mani has made her mark as a skilled all-rounder in Indian women’s cricket. She made history by becoming the first woman from her state to wear the Indian jersey in July 2023. Her journey exemplifies the influence of dedication and hard work. At 25, she represents the Delhi Capitals in the Women’s Premier League.
As she prepares for her third WPL season with Delhi Capitals, she reflected on her development, obstacles, and the experience of competing at a premier level during an exclusive interview with Female Cricket. In this dialogue, she also recounted her early cricketing experience in Kerala and outlined her ambitions for WPL 2025.
When asked about her role as the face of Kerala cricket, Minnu Mani expressed her appreciation for the path that led her here. She modestly remarked, “I am so lucky because when I first started, I never thought I’d become one of the best players in Kerala. But they helped me a lot. Training under the Kerala Cricket Association Academy has helped me improve as a cricketer.”
Recalling her beginnings in cricket, she said her love for the sport blossomed at home while playing with her cousin. While he often wanted to bat, she naturally gravitated toward bowling. What began as a casual pastime soon transitioned to the nearby paddy fields, where she played alongside her cousins. Being the only girl in the group, it was her cousin’s enthusiasm that motivated her to take cricket more seriously.
Minnu Mani’s cricket journey has been marked by challenges, particularly in her formative years. Initially, she kept her passion a secret from her parents. “My parents didn’t know I started playing cricket, I used to lie to them that I had extra class or something (to travel for matches),” she shared.
It was only after she was selected for the Wayanad district team that her school teacher broke the news to her parents. When she later secured a spot at the Kerala Cricket Academy, her parents were hesitant to let her go, but her cousins convinced them otherwise.
Financial hardships further compounded her difficulties, as she had to endure long commutes for training. “From home to go for training, it’s 1.5 hours one way, up and down three hours, and I need to change four buses,” Minnu remembered. With farming as her family’s sole income, they struggled with the associated costs, yet her determination remained unwavering.
Coming from a background where traditional beliefs constrained girls, she faced the challenge of overcoming barriers to pursue her dreams. “My parents and relatives used to tell me that you’re a girl, you can’t play cricket, it’s a men’s game,” she recounted. “So, coming out from all of that and doing something I love was challenging for me,” she said, smiling brightly.
Discussing the significance of receiving the India cap, Minnu Mani expressed immense gratitude, describing it as a long-cherished dream realized. After working towards this goal for over 9-10 years, the moment took her by surprise. “Unexpectedly, it came after the first season of WPL,” she revealed, acknowledging that she hadn’t performed to her expectations and wasn’t anticipating the call.
The experience became even more memorable when she received the cap from Smriti Mandhana, one of her role models. Overcome with emotion, she shared, “I was fully excited but blank—I wanted to cry, I wanted to laugh.”
Reflecting on her time in the dressing room with stars like Meg Lanning, Marizanne Kapp, and Alice Capsey, she stated, “I am so happy that I am able to communicate with them, and I hope this season I will be interacting more with them.”
The interview wrapped up with Minnu Mani outlining her objectives for the upcoming WPL season. She aspires to participate in more matches than last year and feels assured in her contribution to the team. “I know my role, I know in particular situations what the team is expecting me to do, so hopefully, I will do,” she expressed with confidence.
Image Source: Minnu Mani @ Instagram
