Mastering the Gentleman’s Game

Taniya Bhatia, 21, Cricketer

SUCCESS STORY A wicketkeeper-batsperson and part of the India Women T20 and ODI squad, Bhatia was also named in the 2018 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup squad. At the age of 11, she became the youngest girl to represent Punjab as part of the U-19 squad (India) and later, was selected for the senior state team as well.

EARLY START This player’s tryst with the game began at an early age. “As a child, I would play with colony boys on public grounds,” she says. The daughter of a club-level cricketer, her father spotted her interest in the game and started her professional training when was just eight.

RIGHT APPROACH Bhatia found success early and in her own words, “it was just too easy,” which she believes did not serve her well. She faltered soon after and shortly after getting called for the India-A squad at the age of 15, she entered a phase where the game did not listen to her. “I had to start everything from scratch— from correcting my basics to improving my fitness—and had to go through the process of playing zonals, seniors, and scoring consistently to finally be considered for the South Africa squad,” she says.

THE BAT IN HER HAND “Earlier, people would be surprised to see me in cricketing gear. Things have changed for the better ever since women's matches started getting televised. Today we see a lot of young girls on the training ground. It is really encouraging,” she says.

“As a child, I would play with colony boys in public grounds.” Taniya Bhatia, Cricketer