Rising from the colourful tapestry of Mumbai, Punam Raut has woven her identify into the annals of Indian ladies’s cricket. A paragon of perseverance and a beacon of expertise, she has persistently defied expectations, leaving an indelible mark on the game.
Her journey, a testomony to her unwavering dedication, started within the bustling streets of Mumbai, the place her innate ardour for the sport ignited. With every stroke of her bat, she honed her abilities, remodeling uncooked potential right into a formidable drive. Her ascent to the nationwide stage was a fruits of relentless toil and unwavering perception.
A defining second in her profession arrived in 2017 when she, together with the prodigious Deepti Sharma, etched their names within the report books by forging a world-record opening partnership. This epochal feat not solely showcased Raut’s batting prowess but additionally underscored her capacity to assemble formidable innings beneath essentially the most exacting circumstances.
Regardless of dealing with intermittent challenges, together with inconsistent choice and restricted alternatives, Raut’s indomitable spirit has remained steadfast. Her versatility extends past batting, as she has additionally distinguished herself as a dexterous wicket-keeper, contributing considerably to the staff’s success. Furthermore, her management qualities have shone by, making her a beneficial asset each on and off the sphere.
As she continues to encourage younger ladies to chase their goals, Punam’s legacy as one among India’s most completed ladies cricketers is safe. Her journey serves as a poignant reminder that with unwavering dedication and an unwavering perception in a single’s talents, even essentially the most formidable challenges might be surmounted.
Listed here are some highlights from the interview:
Q. How did your love for cricket start, and what sparked your ardour for the game?
Punam: My childhood recollections and my family ambiance was stuffed with cricket, and at the moment Indian Cricket staff was stuffed with stalwarts like Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, and Sourav Ganguly. It was enjoyable to look at all of them representing India, particularly extra enjoyable in India-Pakistan matches. I simply began enjoying with my brother in gully cricket and located the factor fairly intriguing as effectively, as a result of I used to be having fun with how ball was getting linked to my bat.
However I keep in mind this present day, once I noticed two boys of my age going to the bottom in cricket whites to follow, I advised my father about it and tried to persuade everybody within the household that I wish to play this sport in the summertime camp. My father did help my curiosity and from there on, my journey as a participant began. I met many individuals throughout my journey one identify which made a big effect was my one of many first coaches Sanjay Gaitonde, he noticed me throughout a match the place his staff was enjoying and advised me to pad up and exit to bat. I used to be type of shocked {that a} match will not be one thing the place you see a beginner’s functionality nevertheless it was on the finish a follow match and I additionally carried out effectively and acquired skilled beneath him for years to come back.
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Q. How did it really feel to set the world report WODI partnership with Deepti Sharma?
Punam: Really, I by no means considered making a report and we had been there making ready for the World Cup whereas enjoying a quadrangular collection, I knew that I’d be opening due to the position given to me, and Deepti too was adamant to have a stick and open with me in that match. We each, I really feel had been focusing extra within the course of, the best way to plan our innings and as we acquired into the rhythm of connecting the ball, Deepti who was extra of a junior was simply beginning her profession, so there was a little bit of understanding and camaraderie that adopted.
We each felt particular, I used to be unsure however I felt it was a world report after we crossed 300 however after we got here out it certainly was a world report.
Q. How did you deal with the 2017 Ladies’s ODI World Cup ultimate loss mentally?
Punam: It was after all a giant match and shedding a match in that style, coming too near carry the title and never capable of end it off was one thing very denting for us. Profitable a World Cup was a dream and enjoying within the ultimate after such a very long time was one thing particular and we tried our hearts out however nonetheless misplaced so shut by a meagre 9 runs distinction. Dressing room was type of shattered and everyone was in tears, crying, and see profitable and shedding will not be in our fingers however I can say it was my life’s saddest second.
I keep in mind there was a 1 day keep in Lonon the place Jhulan Goswami was with me, she mentioned that “We don’t know what we misplaced proper now, however if you and I or each member of this staff might be alone of their room all of us will apparently take into consideration this sport and can overthink about what we did mistaken.” And she or he was completely proper about it.
Q. How was it sharing dressing room with Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami?
Punam: They had been seniors to us however had been too approachable, enjoyable and jolly, each had been calm headed and by no means pressurised us for doing one thing that we didn’t need. Being a senior member of the staff isn’t simple however they each had been all the time supportive, useful to kids and individuals who guided us kids on our method in direction of an issue.
In reality, I really feel very fortunate to have performed with them, as they each had been one thing that impressed me, once I aspired to be a cricketer from childhood, watching them on tv enjoying cricket at a younger age. It was a dream come true, enjoying with them and sharing the dressing room with them.
Q. Do you have got a favorite staff to play towards and why?
Punam: I’ve two groups truly one is Australia and the opposite one is England, I feel these two groups have a fairly outstanding bowling assault which I like to face. We will see within the World Cup too, I batted tremendous towards England and I’ve a century too towards Australia. If we’d like one staff to be picked for certain then it could be Australia.
Watch the complete interview:
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This text was first revealed at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Instances firm.
