The moment the clock strikes 4.15 pm, a group of the young girls, wearing pads and holding bats is all set to start

practice and hone their batting skills. Having big dreams, they gather at

the Burlton Park in Jalandhar every day and play for two hours.

Twenty-five girls in the age group of 11 to 20 are getting free training by the Jalandhar Cricket Association to realise their dreams. For Rajni, Khushboo and Mithi, all 16 years old, cricket is a passion and an emotion. The fathers of the three girls work in factories and the budding cricketers make sure that once back from school they reach the ground for practice. They watch cricket matches on TV and aspire that someday people will watch them on screen.

Khushboo who started practicing cricket nearly three years ago said buying a cricket kit was not easy for her parents, given their financial condition. “But my father said if this was my passion I must go ahead with it. He said he would do whatever it takes for me to realise my dream,” Khushboo told The Tribune.

A fan of Smriti Mandhana and the calmness with which she plays the game, Khushboo says she would like to imbibe this quality of the international player in her game as well.

Sharandeep Kaur, the coach of the women team, said the girls have made it to state and national levels. “I see a lot of potential in them. I ask them to adopt discipline and focus, only then they will be able to achieve their goals,” she added.

Rajni and Mithi also aspire to be the best, for which they practice daily without a miss. Rajni’s favourite player is Harmanpreet Kaur. “The way she hits the ball, it just amazes me. I want that kind of precision in my game,” Rajni said. The budding cricketers are also inspiring other girls to come out, play and follow their passion.

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