A girl who once gripped a bat and ball alongside the boys in the lanes of Jhunjhunu now leads the district's women's cricket team. This is the story of Babita Meena, a resident of Gudhagaudji, who has carved out a distinct identity in women's cricket on the strength of her passion and relentless effort. She currently shoulders the responsibility of captain of the Jhunjhunu district women's cricket team.
Jhunjhunu district has built a special place for itself in the world of sport. Its players in cricket, athletics and other disciplines keep raising the profile of the state and the country. What stands out most is that the district's daughters are now no less than anyone. Despite limited resources and several social challenges, they are pouring their sweat onto the field to turn their dreams into reality. Babita Meena is a remarkable example of that spirit.
Her Father Spotted the Talent First
Babita's bond with cricket has run deep since childhood. At an age when most girls around her took to traditional games, Babita preferred to play cricket shoulder to shoulder with the boys in her neighbourhood and the street. The first person to recognise this unusual love for the game was her father, Nemichand Meena. He saw a gifted player in his daughter and nursed a dream of turning her into an outstanding cricketer of the future. It was this unshakeable faith of her father that laid the strongest foundation for Babita's cricketing journey.
Stepping Into Competitive Cricket in 2008
In the beginning, Babita's practice was confined to her home and the surrounding lanes, but gradually she moved towards professional training. After regular practice at a local cricket academy and day-and-night hard work, she took part in professional competitive cricket for the first time in 2008. On the back of her ability, she then sealed her place first in the under-17 and later the under-19 district team. Seeing her strategic thinking on the field, her ability to make decisions with a cool head and her brilliant individual performances, the team's captaincy was soon handed to her. Babita has since carried the captain's role admirably at both the under-19 and senior levels. Under her leadership, the district team has produced fine performances in several important state-level contests.
A Coach's Guidance That Changed Her Course
Babita has also represented the Rajasthan women's cricket team. Her career found a new and correct direction when she joined a professional cricket academy. There, under the technical guidance of coach Sikandar Ali, she worked on her weaknesses and began her preparation afresh. It was after this rigorous training that she was selected for the Rajasthan women's T20 team. Babita gives full credit for this big success to her coach's sound guidance, her father's support and her own continuous hard work.
Virat Kohli and Shefali Verma Are Her Role Models
Babita says that among male cricketers she greatly admires the aggressive batting style and fitness of star batter Virat Kohli, while among women cricketers she loves the batting of young sensation Shefali Verma. Her biggest dream is to wear the blue jersey of the Indian women's cricket team and play for the country at the international level. For this she keeps sweating it out on the field, inching a step closer to her goal every single day. The struggle-filled story of this talented daughter of Jhunjhunu is a powerful inspiration for every young girl who wants to break stereotypes and build a career in the world of sport.
