Kerala cricketer Minnu Mani has to thank the sport for turning her life around.
Within a few months, the 24-year-old all-rounder has shot to fame in her state.
Minnu, from the Kurichiya tribe in Wayanad, worked in paddy fields along with her family members to earn a living.
But her passion and talent for cricket were noticed by the Delhi Capitals, who bought her for Rs30 lakh to play in the inaugural Women’s Premier League (WPL) in June.
She became the only player from Kerala to play in the league, which has attracted several stars from England, Australia and New Zealand.
Last month, she also made a successful T20 debut for the Indian national team against Bangladesh.
Her progress in the sport has been exceptional, because Kerala is known as a cricketing backwater.
Only a handful of players from the state have donned national colours, all men – Tinu Yohannan, S. Sreesanth, Sanju Samson and Sandeep Warrier.
What makes Minnu emotional is the love she has been receiving from the people of Wayanad since she grabbed the limelight.
Parents in Kerala are now encouraging their daughters to take up cricket and follow in her footsteps.
“I had to face backlash from society as well as my parents when I showed interest in cricket,” Minnu told the Hindustan Times. “Until eighth standard, my parents didn’t even know I was secretly playing local matches.
“I was expected to study and work in the paddy fields and assist my parents in farming.
“Locals are now so excited that someone from Wayanad is playing for India that they want their daughters to learn the sport.
“I have asked the local administration to grant me a small piece of land where I, with the help of my sisters, can build a cricket nursery so that the budding cricketers do not have to travel miles to train.”
Minnu credits her physical education teacher in school, Elsamma Baby, for unearthing her potential.
The teacher convinced Minnu to go for the Wayanad Under-13 selection trials despite her parents opposing the idea.
Minnu impressed in the trials and, after a year playing for the Kerala Under-16 team, was fast-tracked to the states’ senior team at age 16.
Last season, Minnu top scored in the Women’s All-India One-day tournament with 246 runs from eight games. She also took 12 wickets.
Minnu, who bagged five wickets in the three-match T20 series against Bangladesh, was the most impressive Indian bowler.
Wayanad’s Mananthavady municipality has honoured her by renaming a road junction after her.
The Mysuru road junction, which will now be known as Minnu Mani junction, is 3km from her house.
“It feels special that they have shown this respect to me,” said Minnu. “I have seen film and political celebrities having roads named after them.”
Minnu, whose father Mani CK is a labourer and part-time farmer, has built a house for the family and furnished it from the money she received from the Delhi Capitals.
She also bought a scooter to travel and train at the Kerala Cricket Association Stadium, which is more than 50 km from her house.
“BCCI (the Indian cricket board) has changed women’s cricket in India,” she said. “I come from a humble background, but now I can think of buying things for my parents so that they do not have to slog.
“I am happy that my father no longer has to work as a labourer. Now that I have played for India, I can also apply for a job in the Indian Railways.”
A top-order left-handed batter and an impressive off-spinner, Minnu has made it to the Indian team which will play at the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, next month.
“Representing India in the Asian Games is a great honour,” she said. “I hope to do well. India has a star-studded batting line-up and my turn to bat usually comes when six wickets are down. But, when I get the chance, I will give my best.”
Indo-Asian News Service
