WPL 2024: Sajana Sajeevan – From paddy discipline cricket to in a single day star for Mumbai Indians

Sajeevan and Sharada struggled to carry again their tears when their daughter Sajana knowledgeable them about her debut for Mumbai Indians within the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2024 opener towards Delhi Capitals on Friday.

Their anxious wait to see Sajana in motion was a joyous event for the entire neighbourhood as she slammed a final-ball six to propel the defending champion to an exhilarating four-wicket victory.

WPL 2024: Sajana smashes last-ball six as Mumbai Indians seals dramatic opener vs Delhi Capitals

Sajana’s act of final cricketing fantasy that turned her into an in a single day protagonist had its genesis within the humble environment of Mananthavady, a village in Wayanad, Kerala.

Sajeevan, an autorickshaw driver within the village, and Sharada, a panchayat councillor and accountant, had extra every day worries, together with loans, to deal with when Sajana started to take some curiosity in cricket.

In truth, their modest monetary environs prevented them from supporting Sajana’s dream to pursue cricket.

“Our income was not really that big enough to fund her sporting activities and travelling for tournaments,” Sajeevan stated.

“But she was always passionate about cricket and used to play the game at the paddy field near our home with coconut petiole with her friends and relatives. One day, she met (former India cricketer) Gautam Gambhir at the Krishnagiri stadium here, and got an autographed bat. Seeing that we realised her passion for the sport. Elsamma Baby, the Physical Education teacher in the local government school, too told us to encourage her sporting ambitions,” he stated.

The turning level

The turning level got here when Sajana, who has a level in political science, was chosen to play for her district within the Under-19 tournaments.

“I did not have funds to travel. When I was selected to play for my district, I started earning money, 150 Rs per day as daily allowance. That was big money for me. Then, it went to 150, 300 and 900. I wanted to feel happy for my parents,” stated Sajana in a video uploaded on the MI web site.

Sajana stole the present with a surprising last-ball six to offer Mumbai Indians a profitable begin.  
| Photo Credit:
MURALI KUMAR Ok

But that was simply the primary level of her heady journey. She quickly was drafted into the state Under-19 aspect, and was later appointed because the captain too.

In the next decade, Sajana’s profile as a helpful all-rounder – a hard-hitting batter and off-spinner – bought some extra worth additions as she additionally bought chosen for India A.

-The WPL auction-

The first signal of a wider recognition got here when she entered the public sale pool in the course of the first WPL public sale early final 12 months.

“Sajana was so nervous that day and she did not even watch it (auction) on the TV. But she was a bit upset when she failed to attract a bid last year,” Sajeevan stated.

But a fast pep-talk from Ok Rajagopal, her present coach, stored Sajana, who as soon as made a cameo look in Tamil transfer Kanaa, motivated.

“I told her not to get disheartened after that auction. If you keep performing then the chance will certainly come your way again. She is a strong girl, and it was just the case of keeping her focus on the game.

“She did that when there was hardly any cricket during the flood (2018) and Covid days. Her desire to achieve her goal is her strength,” he says.

Sajana’s perseverance was rewarded late final 12 months when Mumbai Indians picked the 29-year-old up from the public sale room for Rs 15 lakh, a soar of Rs 5 lakh from her base value.

“She was so happy. She called all her friends and coaches to thank them. Sajana told us that she never expected to get a contract from Mumbai, the biggest team in the league.”

The right-hander stamped her mark in her WPL debut itself, smoking off-spinner Alice Capsey for that match-winning six over long-on.

It prompted her teammate Yastika Bhatia, who herself made a well-timed fifty, to time period Sajana because the ‘Kieron Pollard’ of MI girls’s outfit.