A young girl from Rajasthan, Sushila Meena, has captured the attention of none other than Sachin Tendulkar with her smooth and effortless bowling action. The video of Sushila bowling medium pace in a remote village in the Pratapgarh district of Rajasthan has gone viral, creating a buzz across social media.
Praise from the Little Master – Sachin Tendulkar
In the video, Sushila’s natural and effortless bowling action impressed the “Little Master” Sachin Tendulkar to the extent that he compared her style to former Indian left-arm pacer Zaheer Khan, who was renowned for his mastery of reverse swing. Sharing the video on his personal X (formerly Twitter) handle, Sachin wrote, “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 himself echoed Sachin’s sentiments, praising Sushila’s potential and promising future in cricket.
The Rise of Women’s Cricket in Remote India
The emergence of the Women’s Premier League (WPL), launched in 2023, has been instrumental in unearthing grassroots talent like Sushila. The WPL provides a platform for aspiring cricketers to showcase their skills, share dressing rooms with international stars, and learn from legends of the women’s game.
Players like Saika Ishaque, Minnu Mani, Shreyanka Patil, Asha Sobhana, and Tanuja Kanwer have used the WPL as a springboard, transitioning from domestic stars to international players. These success stories inspire young girls across India, including those from rural areas, to see cricket as a viable career path.
Whose bowling action does she remind you of? 🤔 #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/LzewxJSZll
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) December 16, 2024
Global Efforts to Promote Women’s Cricket
The ICC has also taken significant steps to develop women’s cricket, introducing tournaments like the ICC Women’s Under-19 World Cup and the Emerging Women’s Asia Cup. The Asian Cricket Council has launched the ACC Women’s Asia Cup, further bolstering opportunities for young talent.
At the senior level, the ICC’s Future Tours Program (FTP) for 2025–2029 will include the inaugural Women’s Champions Trophy in 2027, a T20I tournament to be hosted by Sri Lanka. These initiatives highlight the growing commitment to fostering talent and expanding the reach of women’s cricket worldwide.
A Bright Future
Sushila Meena’s story underscores the transformative power of cricket and its ability to inspire young talent from even the remotest corners of India. With legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Zaheer Khan recognizing her potential, Sushila’s journey is a testament to the evolving landscape of women’s cricket and its limitless possibilities.
Loves all things female cricket
