Xtra Time Web Desk: Not many Indian cricket fans would have known much about Sneh Rana until the match saving knock she played against England women in the one off test match at the Bristol County Ground on Saturday. Sneh, who scored an unbeaten 80 and was also involved in a 144-run stand with No.10 Taniya Bhatia for the 9th wicket, helped India women earn a hard-fought draw after following-on in the first innings. She was also the pick of Indian bowlers on Day 1 with figures of 3/77.
It is quite an awe inspiring story of the 27 year all rounder from Sinola village, 20 km from Dehradun. Sneh lost her father two months ago, who was instrumental in shaping her career as a cricketer. It was sad that her father did not live to see her daughter emerge as the first Indian woman cricketer to register a half-century and take a 4-wicket haul on Test debut.
“I lost my father two months back. It was a difficult and an emotional moment for me because he wanted to see me play for India. But unfortunately, he couldn’t. Whatever I will do now, I will dedicate everything to him,” she said after the historic drawn test match against England women.
A young Sneh was drawn to outdoor sports and tried her hand at everything from badminton to cricket. Seeing her interest in cricket, Sneh’s father enrolled her at Little Master’s Academy. She used to play with local boys in a game of cricket and outsmart them. It was a smooth progression to the top level for 20 year old Sneh, who made her debut for India in white ball format back in 2014. But a knee injury sustained in 2016 saw her on the sidelines. However, with sheer hard work and determination Sneh made an emphatic return to domestic cricket for Railways. Her all round performance in the domestic 50 over tournament helped Railways clinch their 12th domestic Senior Women’s one-day title
Let’s hope we get to see many more memorable performances from Sneh Rana for India women.