A young girl from Rajasthan, Sushila Meena, has caught the eye of cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar with her fluid and natural bowling technique. Her video showcasing medium pace bowling in a remote village within the Pratapgarh district of Rajasthan has gone viral, igniting a conversation across various social media platforms.
Endorsement from the Little Master – Sachin Tendulkar
In the viral clip, Sushila’s effortless and graceful bowling style garnered admiration from Sachin Tendulkar, who likened her technique to that of former Indian left-arm bowler Zaheer Khan, noted for his exceptional reverse swing. Sharing the video on his X (formerly Twitter) account, Sachin remarked, “Smooth, effortless, and lovely to watch! Sushila Meena’s bowling action has shades of you, Zaheer Khan. Do you see it too?”
Smooth, effortless, and lovely to watch! Sushila Meena’s bowling action has shades of you, @ImZaheer.
Do you see it too? pic.twitter.com/yzfhntwXux— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) December 20, 2024
Zaheer Khan also echoed Sachin’s praises, commending Sushila’s significant potential and future in cricket.
The Growth of Women’s Cricket in Rural India
Since the launch of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) in 2023, opportunities for discovering grassroots talent, like Sushila, have significantly expanded. The WPL serves as a platform for aspiring players to demonstrate their skills, share the field with international stars, and gain insights from legends of the women’s game.
Players such as Saika Ishaque, Minnu Mani, Shreyanka Patil, Asha Sobhana, and Tanuja Kanwer have leveraged the WPL to transition from regional prominence to international recognition. Their stories fuel the aspirations of young girls throughout India, particularly those from rural backgrounds, making cricket a possible career choice.
Whose bowling action does she remind you of? 🤔 #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/LzewxJSZll
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) December 16, 2024
Global Initiatives for Women’s Cricket
The ICC has made noteworthy strides in promoting women’s cricket, implementing tournaments such as the ICC Women’s Under-19 World Cup and the Emerging Women’s Asia Cup. Additionally, the Asian Cricket Council has introduced the ACC Women’s Asia Cup, enhancing opportunities for burgeoning talent.
On the senior front, the ICC’s Future Tours Program (FTP) for 2025–2029 will feature the inaugural Women’s Champions Trophy in 2027, a T20I tournament set to take place in Sri Lanka. These initiatives exemplify the increasing dedication to nurturing talent and broadening the scope of women’s cricket globally.
Image Source: Sushila Meena @ Instagram
