In the Eng VS India women’s Test, Sneh Rana give a sensational all-round performance and made a comeback after dealing with her father’s death & personal injury. While debutant Shafali Verma’s 92-run knock in the first inning stole the limelight from other debutants, it was 27-year-old Sneh Rana who played a major role in scripting the draw against England.
Background
Just 2 months back, if anyone would’ve told Rana that she would be instrumental in a hard-earned draw against England, maybe she herself would not have believed the idea. She after all was dealing with the death of her father Bhagwant Singh who was always pushed his daughter to play hard and play well. It was late Mr. Bhagwant’s wish to see his daughter play for India.
ENG vs IND Women Test21
Also Read: WTC Final IND VS NZ: Match Slips into Reserve Day; Day 5 Highlights; Reserve Day Weather Forecast
Details
It was all the more implausible for Rana to get into the Indian women’s Test team given that she had not played for the team for the past 5 years due to a knee injury, followed by a loss of form. However, like all persistent individuals, Rana first made a comeback in the Railway’s title, scoring 160 runs and scalping 18 wickets in 8 matches. This confirmed her spot in the Indian Women’s team for the England tour.
Before the starting of the Test, Rana also took to Instagram. In a post dedicated to her father, Rana, wearing the Test jersey wrote, “PAPA this is for you. Wish you were here to see this and live this moment”
Also Read: Shafali Verma’s historic 96-run knock puts India on Top before Team Collapses
View this post on Instagram
In her outing against England, she became the first Indian woman cricketer, and fourth of all time, to make a half-century and take a 4-wicket haul on debut. In the recent England VS India Women’s Test, she played an instrumental role in stitching a 144-run partnership for the 9th wicket to quash all hopes by English player to get a victory.
Image Courtesy | Sneh Rana’s Instagram
Also Read: Music Day 2021: Sachin Tendulkar Shares Throwback Video of his Singing Debut with Sonu Nigam
“Whatever I have achieved and will achieve will be dedicated to him”
After the end of the day’s play, she was quoted by global news media saying-
“I lost my father two months back, ahead of the squad announcement for the England tour. I lost him, so it was a bit difficult for me. It was an emotional moment for me as he wanted to see me play again for India and see me in that jersey. But, unfortunately, he can’t.”
“But, it’s okay,” she added with a smile on her face.
“It’s all a part of life. Whatever I have achieved since his passing and whatever I will achieve in the future, I’ll dedicate it all to him.”
How Sneh Rana Took to Cricket?
Born and brought up in a small town called Sinola, near Dehradun, Sneh always gave into the calls of outdoor sports and from a young age, tried her hands at sports ranging from cricket to badminton. In an Indian Express report, her sister was quoted saying-
“She was a tomboy. Hamesha ladko ke saath khelti thi (always used to play with boys). Our father supported her in all her endeavors.”
According to Ruchi, Sneh’s sister – Sneh used to play cricket matches with the boys who lived next door. When her father saw the interest she had, he got her enrolled to a cricket academy.
Also Read: India VS NZ WTC Day 2: Kohli & Rahane Steady India Boat on Day 2, Day 3 Weather Prediction
The Injury, The Hardwork, The Comeback
After effortlessly jumping the rungs and making it to the top-level, Sneh made her debut in ODI cricket in 2014. However, she was thrown to the sidelines just two years later, courtesy a knee-injury she sustained.
To make her comeback, she focused on her fitness. According to her Railways team coach Nooshin Al-Khadeer-
“She refused to give up. Over the last two years, she has improved her skills and fitness levels. She is only 27, with the best years ahead of her.”
Thanks to her ardent focus on her fitness, Sneh was able to make a triumphant return to international cricket.
