In the quiet neighborhood of Anisabad in Patna, Bihar, an extraordinary tale of sports dedication and parental sacrifice is unfolding. While most children at the tender age of five are busy navigating their first years of kindergarten, young Anya is busy constructing a solid foundation for her grand cricketing dreams. From the break of dawn until late into the night, her entire world revolves around the cricket pitch. Facing nearly 500 deliveries daily and dedicating six to seven hours to relentless training has become her second nature. Recognizing this fierce passion in his little daughter, her father, Chandan Singh, took the extraordinary step of converting the rooftop of their family home into a specialized, fully-functional training facility.
A Highly Disciplined Daily Schedule Paralleling Professional Athletes
Currently studying in Class 1, Anya does not lead the carefree life of an average first-grader. Her highly structured routine begins early in the morning with intense physical conditioning and fitness drills on the roof of her house. Immediately following her morning physical preparation, she gets ready and heads to school. Upon returning, she takes a short rest to recuperate before picking up her bat once again to resume her batting drills.
From 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM every afternoon, her father, Chandan Singh, acts as her personal bowler, delivering ball after ball so Anya can perfect her batting stance and strokes. After this home session, she heads straight to a local cricket academy for advanced professional training. Her training, however, does not conclude with her return home at around 6:30 PM. From 7:00 PM until 9:00 PM, she climbs back up to the rooftop for another rigorous session under the supervision of a specialized athletic trainer.
An Unborn Child's Destiny and a Mother's Solemn Wish
Chandan Singh, who runs a modest retail shop, has been a deeply passionate follower of cricket since 1997. His life-long love for the game translated into a family mission even before Anya was born. He recalls a memorable day during his wife's pregnancy when they were watching a match together, and his mother remarked that if they were blessed with a daughter, they must raise her to be a professional cricketer. This sentiment became etched in Chandan Singh's heart, and right from Anya's birth, he focused on nurturing an organic interest in the sport within her.
This early exposure has turned Anya into an incredibly natural player who handles her equipment with ease. Having started her formal training at the age of three and a half, Anya is now fully comfortable wearing protective gear, including professional pads, a helmet, and gloves. She practices against various types of balls, comfortably taking on heavy dues leather balls, synthetic training balls, and tennis balls depending on the drill requirements.
Converting a Three-Storey Rooftop into a Modern Cricket Facility
To ensure that Anya’s training schedule remains unaffected by weather conditions or space constraints, Chandan Singh transformed the roof of their three-storey house into a specialized, compact cricket stadium. He went ahead and constructed a solid cement pitch in the center of the terrace. To prevent the balls from falling off the high roof and into the busy streets below, he enclosed the entire area with high-quality netting. Proper floodlights were installed to provide adequate visibility during late-evening practice sessions.
To combat the blistering summer heat of Patna, solar panels were installed over the terrace to act as a protective canopy against the harsh sun. Additionally, a specialized water sprinkler system and heavy-duty stand fans were fitted to maintain a comfortable temperature during outdoor summer drills. Chandan Singh continues to upgrade this space with new features as Anya grows, ensuring she has an uninterrupted training space at home until she is at least ten years old.
Financial Challenges and the Devotion of a First Support Staff
Despite running a small store with limited financial returns, Chandan Singh refuses to let monetary constraints affect his daughter's sporting ambitions. He channels a major portion of his daily earnings into purchasing high-end cricket kits, funding academy training, and maintaining her nutritional requirements. He has also instructed her school administration not to put unnecessary pressure on her regarding academic performance.
While acknowledging the importance of formal education, Chandan Singh firmly believes that Anya’s primary focus during these formative years must remain on her cricket. He takes personal responsibility for her daily routine, from waking her up in the morning to preparing her specialized meals, administering physical massages, and monitoring her diet. He proudly considers himself not just her father, but her very first manager and primary support staff.
Idolizing Smriti Mandhana with Eyes on the Blue Jersey
Anya finds her ultimate sporting inspiration in Smriti Mandhana, the star batter of the Indian Women's national cricket team. Anya loves analyzing her batting techniques and aims to emulate her classical style on the pitch. Among all the cricketing shots, the pull shot is her absolute favorite stroke, which she executes with surprising power and precision. Her ultimate dream is to represent the Indian national team and bring laurels to the nation on the world stage. Watching her absolute focus and determination, many believe that this young girl is well on her path to making her family's dream a reality.
