The Remarkable Cricketing Journey of Pooja Vastrakar

A emerging star in the game of women’s cricket is Pooja Vastrakar. This Madhya Pradesh all-rounder, who is only 23, has already established herself on a global scale. It is extremely encouraging to see Vastrakar’s rise from modest beginnings to important player on the Indian female cricket squad as per Indian team latest news.

Early Life and Domestic Career

Pooja Vastrakar took birth on 5th of feb in a year in Madhya Pradesh’s Shahdol district. She had a keen interest in sports early on, particularly cricket. Even while she was in school, Vastrakar enjoyed to play cricket with a local lads. She was capable to hone her cricketing skills early on as a result. After finishing school, Vastrakar started representing Madhya Pradesh in domestic cricket tournaments. She played for the state team in inter-state T20 and ODI tournaments. Her consistent all-round performances for Madhya Pradesh, both with the bat and ball, earned appreciation from cricketing experts.

Within a few years, Vastrakar had become a vital player for Madhya Pradesh in domestic cricket. She was not only scoring quick runs lower down the order, but also bowling economical spells with the ability to pick up wickets regularly. Vastrakar’s domestic cricket performances conveyed that she was ready to play at a higher level. So in 2016, at the age of just 17, she received her first call up to the India Red squad for the Women’s Challenger Trophy. This was going to be her debut playing against the senior women cricket teams in the country.

Impressive Debut for India Red

The Challenger Trophy in November 2016 was a breakthrough event in Deepti Sharma’s cricketing career. It marked her debut playing for the India Red team in senior women’s domestic cricket. In her debut match, Deepti had a phenomenal all-round performance that brought her into the spotlight.

With the bat, she scored a quickfire 29 runs off just 20 balls. This brisk innings helped set up a strong total for India Red. When she bowled, Deepti picked up impressive figures of 3 wickets for 16 runs in her allotted overs. Her tight bowling spell restricted the opposition India Blue team to a modest total which her team comfortably chased. Deepti’s outstanding debut as both batter and bowler was instrumental in India Red’s victory. It highlighted her all-round skills on a big stage against national team probables.

Deepti’s eye-catching performance for India Red brought her into focus for the national women’s cricket selectors. After the Challenger Trophy debut, she continued her stellar domestic form playing for her home state Madhya Pradesh. Her consistent performances with bat and ball established Deepti as an exciting all-round prospect for India. She was soon rewarded with a national team call-up in early 2017 owing to her breakthrough showing in the Challenger Trophy 2016.

National Call Up and Debut

After putting up impressive performances in domestic cricket consistently, Pooja Vastrakar earned her maiden national team call-up in February 2018. She was selected in the Indian women’s squad for the T20I series in South Africa. Although she did not get to play a match on that tour, it was recognition of her domestic exploits and a big milestone.

Pooja finally made her eagerly-awaited international debut for India in March 2018 against Australia at home. It was the first T20I of the bilateral series. She had a restrained but effective outing showing maturity beyond her years. With the ball, Pooja bowled very economically giving away just 17 runs in her 4 overs without taking a wicket. When she came in to bat at number 8, she scored a handy 13 runs off 9 balls helping India post a decent total. 

After waiting patiently on the sidelines for over a year post her T20I debut, Pooja finally got her chance in the ODI format as well. She made her ODI debut in June 2021 in the away series against England. Pooja delivered an outstanding all-round performance in her very first ODI match. With the ball, she picked up 2 important wickets. When she came in to bat at number 9, Pooja smashed an unbeaten 49 off just 36 balls taking India to a fighting total. Her brilliant debut earned Pooja the Player of the Match award.

Consistent Performer Across Formats

Since her national debut, Pooja Vastrakar has grown from strength to strength, cementing her spot in the Indian team as a vital all-rounder. 

• In 21 ODIs, she has scored 334 runs at an average of 37.11 and taken 28 wickets
• In 26 T20Is, she has made 242 runs and taken 18 wickets
• Her economy rates of 5.04 in ODIs and 6.50 in T20Is showcase her ability to keep things tight with the ball

Vastrakar has played some crucial knocks lower down the order and provides depth to India’s batting. She is equally comfortable opening the bowling or bowling in the death overs. Her all-round abilities lend balance to the Indian women’s team combination.

Future Prospects

Even at the young age of 23, Pooja Vastrakar has made significant progress in her cricket career. She is already thought of as a team’s senior successor for Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami. 

If Vastrakar can maintain her performance schedule and physical fitness, she has a very bright future. The added edge comes from her bowling, and the balance-enhancing power hitting at a bottom of the order comes from her abilities.

Vastrakar is predicted to play a big part in a upcoming years as India attempts to win additional international championships, involving as a Twenty20 World Cup as well as the ODI World Cup. She has time on her side as well as might end up becoming among India’s all-time finest female cricket players.

Conclusion

From being the little girl playing cricket with boys in her area to becoming an Indian cricketing sensation, Pooja Vastrakar has undergone an amazing transformation as per India latest cricket match news. With her versatility, she has already established herself as a vital component of the national squad in all sports.

Vastrakar is an assured cricketer who consistently performs well for India. Vastrakar is undoubtedly on the verge of becoming an Indian women’s cricket great if she can maintain stability and reach the full extent of her immense talent by remaining healthy. She could end up motivating generations of young girls to take up the sport in the nation.