Some years ago, S. Chandrakala, 16, and her friends often faced the wrath of their parents and neighbours for damaging windowpanes of houses in Agraharam, a nondescript village near Veligandla in the Prakasam district. Now, she is a proud member of the Central Zone team attending a summer camp here, ahead of the cricketing season that starts in June.

Four other girls have come here from western parts of the district — K. Rajeswari from Naidupalle village near Markapur, Sk. Zaina Bhanu from Giddalur, M. Lakshmi Sirisha from Prakalpadu and D.Neelima from Addanki.

They, too, hope to play for India one day.

The girls’ parents, all farmers, see a great future for their wards in the most popular sport in the nation.

What began as a casual game on the streets now encompasses rigorous training, both at the nets and at the open wickets, under the watchful eyes of coach D. Chandrika, a national player. Unmindful of the scorching sun, the girls work on their game at the sprawling CSR Sarma College Grounds, venue for a Ranji Trophy match in 2015.

Inspired by Mithali

Inspiration for these girls to achieve something big came from none other than the Indian captain Mithali Raj and her team-mates, who did the country proud by entering the final in the World Cup last year.

Selected by the Prakasam District Cricket Association president Namineni Kiran Kumar, the girls’ skills are being honed under the overall supervision of PDCC secretary Ch. Pratap Kumar. ‘

‘Lot of potential’

“The girls have a lot of dedication and the potential to become good players at a higher level with proper training,” says Dr. Kiran Kumar, who has made arrangements for their free boarding and lodging at the stadium, which was developed over the years to host first class cricket matches.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Andhra Pradesh / by S. Murali / Ongole – May 12th, 2018