Emerging from the heartland of Bundelkhand in Madhya Pradesh, Kranti Goud has swiftly become a name synonymous with resilience and raw pace in Indian women’s cricket. At just 21, her journey from a small, rented home to the international arena is marked by sacrifice, relentless determination, and an unwavering bond with her family.
As the youngest of six siblings, Kranti’s aspirations took flight even as her family faced financial ruin. The turning point came when her father, Munna Singh, lost his job with the Madhya Pradesh Police in 2012—a setback that forced the family to leave their official quarters and start anew, battling daily adversity.
Kranti’s elder brother, Mayank, recalls, “I was the eldest among our siblings. My father was the sole breadwinner for the family. After losing his job, we were in a lot of trouble—without a house and even difficult to have proper meals daily. Me and my family faced very bad times. At that time, to even think of letting Kranti pursue her passion for cricket was very difficult. People rebuked us, but somehow we managed, and the results are there for all to see.”
Caught between hardship and her budding love for cricket, Kranti dropped out of school after her father’s dismissal. Her eldest brother paused his own education, stepping up to support the family. Yet for Kranti, these obstacles became building blocks of her character. “The hardships faced in life helped me overcome adversities and shine,” she often reflects.
The transformative moment in Kranti’s career arrived on the crisp lawns of her local cricket academy in 2017. Coach Rajiv Bilthare vividly remembers her first appearance: a determined girl in simple shoes and modest attire, whose talent was unmistakable. On learning about her family’s predicament, Bilthare resolved not to charge her any fee.
“I myself used to arrange for her dress, shoes, clothes, and other cricket gear. Since the girl had talent, she played well and brought glory to all of us,” he recounts. The joy that lit Kranti’s face when handed her first pair of cricket spikes—a gift of Rs 1600 remains vivid in Bilthare’s memory: “She told me it was like a dream come true for her.”
Kranti’s moment of reckoning came on the international stage, where, against England, she delivered a breathtaking spell claiming six wickets in the decisive third match to secure a series victory for India. Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur recognized the magnitude of Kranti’s performance, choosing to share her Player of the Match award with the young pacer.
Yet, in the midst of newfound fame, Kranti’s roots remain her anchor. “I want to buy a house for my family. This is my priority. I want to help other girls at the academy who can’t afford cricket gear,” she told TOI. Practicing what she preaches, Kranti is intent on ensuring others need not struggle as she did: “My assistance to the girls will enable them to concentrate on their sporting activities without worrying about resource constraints.”
For Kranti Goud, every wicket is not just a mark of personal achievement, but a testament to family, community, and the enduring spirit of giving back. “It’s time for me to give back to society,” she says. With each stride on the pitch and every act off it, she is doing just that making sure the next generation of dreamers, no matter their circumstances, have a path to follow.
(Quotes sourced from Times of India)
Loves all things female cricket