Lucknow: Lucknow girl Chandani Sharma, daughter of a barber, on Wednesday secured a spot in the India ‘A’ Under-19 team for the triangular series featuring India ‘B’ Under-19 team and South Africa. Four other girls from Uttar Pradesh — Supriya Arela (Agra), Bharti Upadhyay (Aligarh), Sonam Yadav (Firozabad), and Parshvi Chopra (Gautam Budh Nagar) — were selected for the India ‘B’ team.
The Indian team for the under-19 cricket world cup would be selected after this series.
Chandani Sharma (18), hailing from the busy bylanes of Bangla Bazar in the state capital, showed a natural inclination towards cricket from the age of five, playing enthusiastically in the streets and at home. As she grew older, her passion for cricket intensified, often at the expense of her studies. When she was in class 8, she told her family she wanted to pursue cricket full-time and leave her studies. Her brother advised her to at least complete class 10 to meet the requirements for cricket admissions. Following his advice, after her Class 10 board examination, she rushed home and declared that she wouldn’t eat until she was allowed to join a cricket academy. Her father eventually enrolled her at the Northern Railway Stadium.
Talking to TOI, right-arm leg-break bowler Chandani said, “I am happy to be part of the Under-19 India ‘A’ team. This achievement is the result of my family’s and my coaches’ hard work. My father never held me back despite our financial struggles, even though he couldn’t afford my academy fee at first. When he finally took me to the Northern Railway Stadium, he told coaches Priyanka Shaili and Saima Ali that he couldn’t pay but wanted me to learn cricket. Since then, I have been playing at the stadium, and my coaches have been a tremendous help. I consider Yuzvendra Chahal my idol and try to emulate his bowling. I also admire Rohit Sharma’s batting style.”
“The NR stadium is about 10 kilometres from my home, and I commute daily by bicycle, which was gifted to me by my father’s friend. I have been training there for the past five years. Coach Saima Ali has worked tirelessly with me, teaching me the nuances of the game that are helping me today. I hope to perform well in the future,” she said
Chandani’s brother, Vikas Sharma, said, “I have three sisters, and I am the only brother. Despite financial hardships, my father ensured we were educated and encouraged my younger sister to pursue cricket. Her passion for cricket is unmatched.”
Assistant sports secretary of NR and chairperson of the women’s cricket wing in Lucknow, Priyanka Shaili, said, “Chandani has been training at our ground since the beginning. My colleague, Saima Ali, has groomed her despite her poor family background. I have arranged meals for her and permitted her to stay at the stadium for morning and afternoon practice sessions. Recently, in the Under-19 league matches in Haryana, she claimed 19 wickets in 9 matches, making her the highest wicket-taker in UP. When a child performs like this, selectors cannot ignore them.”
PIX: Manoj Chhabra
Caption: Chandni at her father’s shop in Lucknow