WPL 2024: RCB's spin ace Asha Sobhana's stellar cricket journey.

Post by: Dr. Amrinder Pal Singh

image: Female cricket

In Kochi, Asha Sobhana embarked on her cricket journey at the age of 13, inspired by the legendary spinner Neetu David's mesmerizing performances on television. A year later, at just 14, she earned a coveted spot in the Kerala senior women’s team, marking the beginning of her remarkable ascent in the sport.

Despite Asha's inclusion in the India ‘A’ squad in both 2012 and 2018, her dreams of donning the senior national team's jersey remained unfulfilled. Disheartened after nearly two decades of relentless toil in domestic cricket, Asha contemplated quitting the game two years ago. However, fate had other plans for her.

Encouraged by Puducherry coach Shweta Mishra, who had previously worked with Asha during an India U-19 camp, she made the bold decision to switch her allegiance to Puducherry. This decision proved pivotal in her career, catching the attention of talent scouts from the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) franchise.

Impressed by Asha's all-round skills, RCB secured her services for Rs 10 lakh in the inaugural Women's Premier League (WPL), a move that would change the trajectory of her career.

Although Asha's debut season in the WPL failed to leave a lasting impression, with just five wickets in five matches and an early exit for RCB, she emerged as a transformed player in the subsequent season. Playing a crucial role in RCB's title triumph, Asha claimed 12 wickets from 10 games, establishing herself as one of the tournament's standout performers.

Reflecting on her stellar performance, Asha highlighted two defining moments: her five-wicket haul against UP Warriorz in RCB's opening match and her nerve-wracking final over against MI in the Eliminator.

Drawing inspiration from her interactions with former India leg-spinner L Sivaramakrishnan, with whom she had a three-day stint before the WPL, Asha credited him for her improved performance. Under his guidance, she honed her skills, refining her action and mastering the art of spin.

Delighted with Asha's progress, Sivaramakrishnan emphasized their focus on enhancing her bowling technique, developing her arsenal of deliveries, and maximizing her effectiveness on the field.

Despite being 33 years old, Asha's exceptional performances in the WPL have reignited her 

#trending #latest #CricketJourney #Inspiration #NeetuDavid #KeralaCricket #IndiaA #PuducherryCricket #WomensCricket #RCB #WPL #TitleTriumph #SpinBowling #Transformation #Coaching #Sivaramakrishnan #Dreams #breakingnews #worldnews #headlines #topstories #globalUpdate #dxbnewsnetwork #dxbnews #dxbdnn #dxbnewsnetworkdnn