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, reworking 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 file books by forging a world-record opening partnership. This epochal feat not solely showcased Raut’s batting prowess but in addition underscored her potential to assemble formidable innings underneath probably the most exacting circumstances.
Regardless of going through 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 useful asset each on and off the sphere.
As she continues to encourage younger ladies to chase their desires, Punam’s legacy as considered one of India’s most completed ladies cricketers is safe. Her journey serves as a poignant reminder that with unwavering willpower and an unwavering perception in a single’s talents, even probably the most formidable challenges could be surmounted.
Listed below 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 reminiscences and my family ambiance was filled with cricket, and at the moment Indian Cricket staff was filled 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 properly, as a result of I used to be having fun with how ball was getting linked to my bat.
However I keep in mind at the present time, once I noticed two boys of my age going to the bottom in cricket whites to apply, I advised my father about it and tried to persuade everybody within the household that I need 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 huge impact 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 form of shocked {that a} match just isn’t one thing the place you see a beginner’s functionality however it was on the finish a apply match and I additionally carried out properly and received skilled underneath him for years to return.
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Q. How did it really feel to set the world file WODI partnership with Deepti Sharma?
Punam: Truly, I by no means considered making a file and we have been there making ready for the World Cup whereas enjoying a quadrangular collection, I knew that I’d be opening due to the function given to me, and Deepti too was adamant to have a stick and open with me in that match. We each, I really feel have been focusing extra within the course of, the best way to plan our innings and as we received 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 undecided however I felt it was a world file once we crossed 300 however once we got here out it certainly was a world file.
Q. How did you deal with the 2017 Girls’s ODI World Cup ultimate loss mentally?
Punam: It was after all a giant match and shedding a match in that trend, coming too near raise the title and never capable of end it off was one thing very denting for us. Successful 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 form of shattered and all people was in tears, crying, and see successful and shedding just isn’t in our arms 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 while you and I or each member of this staff can be alone of their room all of us will apparently take into consideration this recreation and can overthink about what we did fallacious.” And he or she was completely proper about it.
Q. How was it sharing dressing room with Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami?
Punam: They have been seniors to us however have been too approachable, enjoyable and jolly, each have 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 straightforward however they each have been at all times supportive, useful to kids and individuals who guided us kids on our strategy in direction of an issue.
Actually, I really feel very fortunate to have performed with them, as they each have 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’ve got a favorite staff to play in opposition to and why?
Punam: I’ve two groups truly one is Australia and the opposite one is England, I believe these two groups have a fairly exceptional bowling assault which I like to face. We are able to see within the World Cup too, I batted positive in opposition to England and I’ve a century too in opposition to Australia. If we’d like one staff to be picked for positive then it will be Australia.
Watch the total interview:
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This text was first printed at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Instances firm.
