June 18, 2024
3 mins read

India Wins Big, New Talent Shines

Asha, now the oldest women’s ODI debutant for India, made her T20I debut on the tour of Bangladesh last month and won WPL this year with RCB. ..reports Asian Lite News

After taking four wickets on debut as India thrashed South Africa by 143 runs in the ODI series opener at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, leg-spinner Asha Sobhana said making her 50-over debut for the country is a dream come true moment for her.

Playing at the ground where she became the first Indian bowler to take a five-wicket haul in this year’s Women’s Premier League (WPL), Asha spun the ball well and got a good nip on her stump-to-stump deliveries to pick 4-21 in 8.4 overs, as South Africa were bowled out for 122 in 37.4 overs in a tall chase of 266.

“I am short of words actually because when I started playing cricket, it was only 50 overs we saw on TV. I wanted to play for India and it finally happened – playing in the 50-over game for India is a dream come true moment for me. I would call it miraculous as this happening at the age of 33 is a miracle,” said Asha in a video posted on bcci.tv.

She also talked about how manifesting for taking Marizanne Kapp as her maiden ODI wicket came true in Sunday’s match. “Taking out Kappie (Marizanne Kapp) is special, because a few days ago when we were having lunch at the NCA, I was telling Jemi (Jemimah Rodrigues) that ‘I want Kappie as my debut wicket’. Whichever match you play, getting Kappie’s wicket is always special, as the kind of player she is – a legendary batter. So, God’s been kind.”

Asha, now the oldest women’s ODI debutant for India, made her T20I debut on the tour of Bangladesh last month and won WPL this year with RCB. She feels she has a special connection with the Chinnaswamy stadium.

“I am feeling so amazing. I didn’t expect to get four wickets on my debut. But all thanks to God, I had been praying and asking him for it. It’s a special feeling, especially coming to Bengaluru – the stadium and people here – and being in Namma Chinnaswamy. Either wearing a red (RCB) or blue (India) jersey, people at Chinnaswamy are always supporting us.”

Smriti, who captained Asha in two seasons for RCB at the WPL, also had words of praise for the veteran leg-spinner after the match ended.

“The kind of experience she has, I don’t know what nerves she will have. I have seen her journey in the last two years. I had seen her in 2018 or 2017, she was playing (Senior Women’s) Challengers and I went ‘Oh wow, she can actually turn the ball!'”

“The way she bowled, turning square, I’m happy that she is on my team because whenever I face her at the nets, being a leftie against a leg-spinner, she doesn’t give anything easy, it’s hard to hit her over the top. That’s the first thing I saw in the WPL prep. It’s really hard because being a leftie I love leg-spinners and I couldn’t go over the top to Asha. This also shows what strengths she has.”

India now have a 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series and will face South Africa in the second game of the series at the same venue on June 19.

ALSO READ: Germany Crushes Scotland 5-1 in Euro 2024 Opener

Previous Story

China’s Xinjiang tourism push amid human rights concerns

Next Story

Super 8 Stage Set for T20 World Cup

Latest from India News

FS Misri in US to Boost Tech, Trade Ties

The meeting, held in Washington, focused on strengthening existing frameworks and building momentum on key tech and trade initiatives…reports Asian Lite News Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on Wednesday (India time) met with

India Targets Pak Terror Ties in Guyana

The delegation met the Guyanese President, Mohamed Irfaan Ali, who had hosted a dinner to celebrate friendship and shared aspirations between the two nations…reports Asian Lite News Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, currently

EU Vows US Trade Deal

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen phoned Trump on Sunday, after which he agreed to postpone the planned tariff increase until July 9….reports Asian Lite News The European Commission remains “fully

India Rejects Pak’s Proxy War Play

The delegation is in Qatar to share the details about India’s Operation Sindoor and also to make startling disclosures about Pakistan-sponsored terrorism…reports Asian Lite News Congress MP Manish Tiwari, a member of

Top Indian Officials Head to Washington

The visit, likely next week, follows US President Trump’s claims that his administration helped broker the recent India-Pakistan ceasefire….reports Asian Lite News Top sources revealed on Sunday that Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Maya missing in action, focus on Dalit votes in UP

A day before she tweeted about the PM’s security breach

Rajiv Gandhi assassination convict gets bail

Perarivalan was ordered to be released on bail for the