In a cricketing landscape defined by tradition, reputation, and methodical progression, Salonee Dangore’s story stands as a bold and refreshing narrative, one that speaks of sheer passion, adaptability, and the power of self-belief.
This 27-year-old leg-spin all-rounder from Chhattisgarh has scripted her own fairy tale, leaping from relative obscurity to the international stage of the Women’s Caribbean Premier League (WCPL), as she dons the jersey of the Trinbago Knight Riders for the 2025 season.
From Athletics Tracks to the Cricket Pitch: An Unlikely Beginning
Born with an athlete’s heart, Salonee’s early years revolved around sprints, long jumps, and track-and-field accolades with Madhya Pradesh at the Under-14 and Under-17 levels. Cricket wasn’t her first love. It took the perceptive nudge of Jose Chacko, a Sports and Youth Welfare officer, and the support of her mother, herself a basketball player, for Salonee to even consider wielding a bat and ball.
“I used to compete in 100m, 200m, long jump, triple jump, I never thought of cricket,” she recalls. But that chance suggestion saw her join the Indore-based academy of former Ranji cricketer Sunil Lahore, igniting a passion that hasn’t flickered since.
Building Foundations: Mentorship and Early Triumphs
Her cricket journey accelerated rapidly after her Madhya Pradesh debut in 2017-18, powered not just by talent but by an incredible hunger to learn. Two pivotal influences shaped her: Sunil Lahore, whose academy polished her basics, and later, the Ramesh Bhatia Cricket Foundation (RBCF), where coaches Sanjay Choubey and Himanshu Vairagi refined her all-round game over eight formative years.
A turning point came when Salonee attended a camp under the legendary leg-spinner Narendra Hirwani. “He didn’t just hone my technique; he strengthened my mind. If someone of his stature believes in me, why shouldn’t I?” she reflects, crediting Hirwani for instilling resilience and self-belief.
The Chhattisgarh Chapter: Making Every Opportunity Count
In 2024, Salonee’s move to Chhattisgarh marked a new beginning. She responded with a headline-grabbing performance in the Senior Women’s One-Day Trophy, 15 wickets in six matches, 144 runs, including a top score of 56, proving her mettle as a genuine all-rounder.
Her progress hadn’t gone unnoticed. The Delhi Capitals, one of the marquee franchises in the Women’s Premier League (WPL), inducted her as a net bowler. Over two seasons, she impressed coaches and legends alike, gaining priceless insights and exposure.
The Surprise WCPL Call: From Net Bowler to Overseas Star
Most Indian women cricketers, like Jemimah Rodrigues, Smriti Mandhana, and Richa Ghosh, earned international franchise contracts only after shining on the national stage. Salonee, remarkably, secured her WCPL deal without ever playing in the WPL’s main squad or representing India.
“It came as a complete surprise,” she shares, remembering the moment an unexpected email changed her life. “I was just focused on training, and suddenly, there it was, a dream call-up.”
For Salonee, it felt surreal. “From shaking hands with Shah Rukh Khan at a WPL rehearsal to now playing for his franchise, it genuinely feels like fairytales exist.”
Inspirations and Idols: Learning from the Legends
A devoted student of the game, Salonee’s leg-spin is steeped in the genius of Shane Warne, her childhood idol. “I’d watch Warne’s slow-motion replays for hours,” she says. Today, she draws inspiration from Rashid Khan’s aggression and Amelia Kerr’s multifaceted impact.
Her stints with the Delhi Capitals have broadened her cricketing horizons. Bowling to Meg Lanning, she received invaluable advice. “She broke down tactics against different batters and told me, ‘You’re doing well, keep working hard.’ That meant the world to me.” Salonee has also regularly sought guidance from DC teammates Jess Jonassen and Shikha Pandey, both of whom she’ll now join at the Knight Riders.
Quiet Confidence and Clear Ambition
Salonee’s philosophy is disarmingly simple: “You become what you believe.” It’s this unshakeable confidence that drives her, chasing improvement relentlessly and welcoming challenges as opportunities, be it as a net bowler or a key cog in a WCPL team.
She’s candid about her hopes. “If I perform in the WCPL, it could open doors, not just at DC, but with other franchises too. I’m ready to give it my best.”
The Road Ahead: A Beacon for Aspiring Cricketers
Salonee Dangore’s journey is a testament to the changing face of Indian women’s cricket, where unconventional paths, self-belief, and hard-earned opportunities can converge to create inspiring new stories. Her WCPL adventure is more than just a personal milestone; it is an invitation for countless others to dream beyond boundaries.
As she prepares to spin her magic in the Caribbean, Salonee Dangore is already a trailblazer, proving that with heart, hustle, and hope, the fairytale is just the beginning.
(Quotes sourced from India Today)
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