Devika Vaidya-Cricket Against All Odds
It's 2003, and the Men's Cricket World Cup final is playing on television. 6-year-old Devika Vaidya and her family are glued to the television screen, rooting for India to win. At the end of the gripping match, the Australian team is declared as the winner. The young Devika did not understand the game's rules or how the winner was decided. But looking at the Australian players celebrating and her family's upset faces, she understood what losing and winning felt like, and she was amazed at how cricket could bring out these different emotions. "It was that day that I decided that I wanted to play cricket," says the now 26-year-old cricket all-rounder from Pune.
A Challenging Innings
Devika's parents then set out to find a sports club for her. But neither Devika nor her parents knew how challenging it was to find a sports club that allowed a girl to play cricket -uncommon even in 2003! After being denied by a lot of coaches and cricket clubs, they finally found a club that allowed her to play, but on one condition-she should not be seen by the club management, otherwise, there would be trouble. Her parents then came up with the idea of hiding her long hair in her cap.
But she was the only girl on a pitch full of boys! To her surprise, Devika got along well with the boys, discussing the latest cricket news or matches. We all were equally interested in the sport and that's what mattered."
At age 8, Devika got a chance to play in the Under-16 Maharashtra tournament for women. At age 11, Devika did not know whether she wanted to play or quit, as she saw no improvement in her game.
To Quit or Not to Quit?
Bu hikaye Champak dergisinin September Second 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye Champak dergisinin September Second 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
The Return Gift
\"Dingo, it's been a long time since we've had a nice party.
Moving to the MOON
In the forest town of Hoshiarpur, there was a mischievous bear named Dabbu.
Tea and the Lizard
Parth's father loved tea and enjoyed several cups throughout the day.
Shera Breaks a Bad Habit
It was December, and a cold wave settled upon Chandanvan. Prime Minister Shera discovered that his once-luxurious velvet quilt was now stained with mildew after being stored in the damp basement.
MANAS AND THE LOST KITTEN
After the half-yearly exams had ended, Manas began to feel bored at home. He insisted that he wanted a pet to keep him company.
The Ghost on the Hill
It had rained a lot in Champakvan that year. There were floods, and Cheeku rabbit and Jumpy monkey's homes had been washed away.
FINDERS, KEEPERS
Raji came out of her cool, thatched roof hut. The rough, sun-baked ground scorched her little feet. She looked up at the sun - it was still not very high in the sky. Judging by its position, Raji guessed it was around ten o'clock...
A Dog Named DOT
Dogs like Dot are found a dime a dozen on Chennai streets. Diya could never understand why that one particular dog who was just like any other brown and white dog, chose to pull at her heartstrings...
THE SCHOOL CONSTITUTION
10-year-old Mayank had just opened his tiffin box to eat when the aroma of his food spread through the class...
TARUN'S TALE
\"Stories should be like a breath of fresh air. They should give strength to our souls,\" Tarun's grandmother told him...
