‘Nothing worthwhile can be achieved through shortcuts’

Poonam Yadav is on Cloud Nine after being given Arjun Award by President of India. The ace leg spinner has represented Indian women’s cricket team and made her mark with her bowling. Poonam interacted with

Hindustan Times to share her upbringing in Agra, her cricketing experience and the success she has attained.

How did cricket become your passion ?

Initially, it was not cricket but hockey and ‘kabaddi’ with which I began in school but cricket was always fascinated me. However, being a girl it was always tough to play cricket because it was not considered a game for girls. So I had to begin from my locality. I lived in Agra and had a tough time convincing others about my choice for cricket.

What hurdles came in opting for cricket as your game ?

There were all sorts of hurdles in the beginning. I began playing ‘mohalla’ cricket and the first to object was my next door neighbour Sonu who complained to my mother Munni Devi for allowing me to play with boys. The reason was that every time I used to bowl him out. However, my family stood with me although my brother Munendra Pratap, was concerned as my father Raguhuveer Singh serving the army, used to travel a lot.

Why did you choose becoming a bowler ?

Uprooting of middle stump always fascinated me and I began by bowling medium pace but slowly because of limitation of height, I was advised to switch over to spin bowling. I began admiring Neetu David, the ace spin bowler in women cricket of India and joined training by coach Afghani Sir in Agra. My friends helped me by convincing my parents to allow me to look for my career in cricket and my new coach Manoj Kushwaha worked hard to train me.

How do you view your rise to fame ?

Nothing comes through short cut and one has to work hard to earn his or her place. I had disruptions in studies and completed my graduation recently. I smelled success when was declared captain of Uttar Pradesh under 19 Women Cricket Team in year 2010. However, the moment to cherish was when I got selected for Indian women’s cricket team and made debut in 2013 at Baroda for T-20 match against Bangladesh and took 3 wickets. It was a dream fulfilled when my parents reached Rashtrapati Bhawan to witness me receiving Arjuna Award.

Were there moments when you felt dejected or lost ?

There were moments when things looked tough more so because women cricket in past years did not get the limelight it deserved. But my father, an army man, always stood behind me and stressed to remain focused without worrying. He led me to represent the nation’s women cricket team in one of the one day world cup and three T-20 World Cup.

Any particular moment that you cherish in your career?

It was during 2017 Women’s Cricket World Cup when we were losing grip in the final match being played against host England. I was asked to bowl and wicket of England Team Captain Heather Knight changed the course of match and brought us back in match. Although we finally could not capitalise on the breakthrough, we brought back the team in race for success in that World Cup final.

How has the scenario changed for women’s cricket?

Things are changing fast for women cricket and with BCCI taking over the affairs, there are changes for the better. Now more and more girls would opt for cricket as career option. I am serving Indian Railways at Agra as office superintendent. Match fees has improved and we get better opportunities and exposure and I feel blessed for pursuing cricket.