Women’s Cricket: Minnu Mani of India Feels Enthusiastic
As a schoolgirl, Minnu Mani felt compelled to play cricket without revealing it to her parents. Now, this tribal player from Wayanad, Kerala has become a rising star. For Kerala cricketer Minnu Mani, life has completely transformed. In a matter of months, the 24-year-old all-rounder has experienced a range of emotions. Hailing from the Kurichiya tribe in Wayanad, Mani not only became a part of the inaugural Women’s Premier League (WPL) but also emerged as the lone player from the state when Delhi Capitals acquired her for INR 30 lakhs. She also made a successful debut in T20 against Bangladesh last month.
Mani finds it moving that Wayanad residents are showing her love and support after she made news as an Indian cricket player. Parents are now urging their daughters to play cricket and follow in her footsteps, according to the article.
“When I expressed interest in cricket, I had to endure criticism from my parents as well as the general public. My parents weren’t even aware that I was playing local matches covertly until the seventh grade. They anticipated that I would concentrate on my education, help them farm, and labor in the rice fields.
“The locals are so happy that a player from Wayanad is representing India; they now want their daughters to take up the sport like I did. To prevent aspiring cricketers from having to travel far for practice, I’ve asked the local government to provide me a small plot of land where I can build up a cricket nursery with my sisters’ assistance, Minnu continues.
A road junction was renamed after the cricketer by the Mananthavady Municipality in North Kerala. Although there is no direct road linking the Mysore Road Junction, presently known as “Minnu Mani Junction,” to her home, it is only 3 kilometers away.
“It seems amazing that they regard me in this way. Roads with names based on movies and politicians have been noticed. A connecting road will soon be built by the local government, according to Mani, who feels as though cricket has altered her fate. The daughter of a laborer and a part-time farmer finished building her house, purchased furnishings, and purchased a scooter using the money she earned from Delhi Capitals after playing in the WPL.
“In India, the BCCI has changed women’s cricket. I come from a poor background, but today I can consider making my parents’ lives easier by purchasing them goods. My father used to make a living by working as a laborer in the rice fields. I’m glad he won’t need to do that any longer. Now that I’ve represented India, I may also seek for a job with Indian Railways,” declares Mani, who will use her scooter to travel more than 50 kilometers to the Kerala Cricket Association Stadium for training.
She is a member of the Indian women’s cricket squad competing at the upcoming Asian Games. Mani, a capable spinner and top-order hitter, aspires to excel at the Asian Games and keep up his strong play to earn a spot in the One Day International (ODI) squad.
The Asian Games will be an incredible honor for me to represent India. I intend to excel as an all-arounder. Mani was shocked to see her name in the Indian T20 squad against Bangladesh since she had only played three matches in the WPL for Delhi Capitals. “India has a strong batting lineup, and my chance in the Indian team usually comes when we have lost six wickets,” she explains.
The Zhejiang University of Technology Cricket Field will host the 19th Asian Games from September 19 to October 8. The T20 women’s cricket competition will run from September 19 to September 28.
With her rising star, it appears like the entire Wayanad would be glued to their TVs when Mani dons the Indian jersey and displays her bowling, batting, and performing talents during the Asian Games.
