Asha, at 33, is showing the way for other women cricketers
At 33, all-rounder Asha Sobhana of South Central Railway (Secunderabad) can well be a huge inspiration for other women cricketers who contemplate quitting the sport in their mid-20s.
For the Thiruvananthapuram-born cricketer — who moved to Hyderabad because of her job 11 years ago — it has been a struggle until Monday when she got her maiden call to represent India in the ve-match T20 series in Bangladesh later this month.
Like many inspiring stories, Asha’s poor nancial background — her father was an auto driver and mother a homemaker — was no deterrent in her pursuit of making it big.
“I feel I have set an example for all those playing in domestic cricket and thinking of quitting in the mid-20s. They should keep enjoying the game and never give up,” said Asha in a chat with The Hindu here on Tuesday as she thanked her Railways teammates for their support.
“I was just hoping to get a call for the national camp after my WPL performances,
Asha Shobana.
not for the Indian team itself. It is a huge and pleasant surprise. A dream come true for me and my family,” said the fast bowler-turned-leg spinner, who got “invaluable” tips from L. Sivaramakrishnan.
“Playing in WPL for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru was a major turning point,” said Asha even while acknowledging Mithali Raj’s inuence, having played under her for 13 years. “There were days when I didn’t have the money to buy even a proper kit. I am always grateful to my rst coach Aaron George Thomas, and my mentor the late Shabina Jacob who helped me when women’s cricket was not merged with the BCCI.”
Any dreams? “To be part of the Indian team and win the rst World Cup for us,” she said condently.
Palmer nets four, Chelsea shoots six past Everton
Cole Palmer scored four goals to put Chelsea within touching distance of the Premier League’s top six after a 6-0 win over Everton on Monday.
The results: Premier League: Chelsea 6 (Palmer 13, 18, 29, 64-pen, Jackson 44, Gilchrist 90) bt Everton 0. LaLiga: Osasuna 0 lost to Valenica 1 (Almeida 18). Serie A: Atalanta 2 (Scamacca 13, Ederson 18) drew with Verona 2 (Lazovic 56, Noslin 60).
Cummins recognised by for stellar 2023
Australia captain Pat Cummins was named the
Leading Cricketer in the World by Wisden on Monday to coincide with the publication of the 161st edition of the sport’s ‘bible’. Cummins was recognised by Wisden for a stellar 2023 in which the fast bowler led Australia to World Test Championship (WTC) nal win over India. His side retained the Ashes before he captained it to a 50-over World Cup nal win against India.
Entry standards for FedCup athletics
The 27th National Federation Cup athletics championships will be held in Bhubaneswar from May 12 to 15. Government of Odisha will conduct the event in association with the Odisha Athletics Association under the aegis of the Athletics Federation of India. Only athletes who are 18 and above (born on May 12, 2006 or before) and have achieved the AFI’s entry standards in National or State championships, where electronic system had been used, are eligible. Entry standards: Men: 100m: 200m: 400m: 800m: 1500m:
5000m: 10,000m:
110m hurdles: hurdles: steeplechase:
High jump: Pole vault: Long jump: Triple
Shot put: Discus: Hammer: Javelin:
Decathlon: 5500 pts. Women: 100m: 12.10s. 200m: 24.50s. 400m: 55.00s. 800m: 2:15.00s. 1500m: 4:30.00s. 5000m: 17:00.00s. 10,000m: 35:00.00s. 100m hurdles: 400m hurdles: 3000m steeplechase:
High jump: Pole vault: Long jump: Triple
Shot put: Discus: Hammer: Javelin:
Heptathlon: jump: jump: 400m 3000m