THOUGH Railways retained its title, the most striking feature of the 26th National Women's Cricket Championship held in Faridabad, was the emergence of a new crop of players. India captain Anju Jain could well be trying to find a new position for herself in the field. For, she keeps wickets - the position for which another claimant has emerged in Sulakshana Naik.
As a host of teenagers including Air India's all-round trio of Jhulan Goswami, Rumeli Dhar and Mamta Kanojia, made their mark in the championship, it is time the Women's Cricket Association of India (WCAI) took note of the emerging talent.
National selector and former India captain, Diana Eduljee, was on hand to witness the championship. Diana would have made numerous notes of the young players, for her inputs will be crucial before the WCAI narrows down the list of probables to pick the Indian squad.
Railways retained its title beating Air-India in a three-day final played over two innings, winning by nine wickets. Railways, which boasted of eight players having played for India in the 2000 New Zealand World Cup, put Air India in place in the first innings that just about set the tone for the rest of the match.
Fondly known as the 'Bishen Singh Bedi' of women's cricket, left-arm spinner Neetu David tormented Air India batting in both the innings and gave her team an early edge. It was the duo of Neetu and Sulakshana that worked nicely to capture those who attempted over-ambitious shots.
While Neetu finished with 11 wickets from the match, Sulakshana had six stumpings to her credit. The diminutive stumper was also one of the most active players, on and off the field. When not keeping wickets, she was always there egging on Railway batswomen from the other side of the ropes.
Neetu had no contender for the best bowler award having taken 17 wickets in the championship. Closest to her was Karnataka's Nooshin, who took 10 wickets which included four in the third place play-off match. Jhulan was next with seven wickets.
The selection of the best batswoman, however, did not justify the performances. Rajini Venugopal got the award, instead of Mithali Raj, who missed a century by one run and was top scorer of the championship. Mithali scored 181 runs from four matches and remained unbeaten once. Rajini's aggregate was 169.
Even as Railways, as a team, was too strong for other contenders, runner-up Air India should take pride in the fact that youngsters in its team made their mark. If the WCAI was serious in building a team for the future, it was time the old guard was rested and youngsters tried.
In the given scenario, among those waiting to don India colours Jhulan appears to be the best.
"She is a genuine pace bowler and good lower order bat and I am confident that she would get her due," says Anju, the Air India captain. Deservedly, Jhulan was named the most promising player of the tournament.
Having developed a liking for cricket when she was in the third standard, Jhulan has never looked back since then. Fast bowling comes naturally to her.
"I like opening the bowling and enjoy watching batsmen getting unnerved," says Jhulan, who was introduced to cricket by her cousin Sanjay Sanal. "I used to play with him and his friends, tennis ball cricket before seriously taking up the game."
The 17-year-old Jhulan was among the probables named for the New Zealand World Cup.
"I am sure I will get a chance to play for India," hopes Jhulan, who had a spectacular five-wicket haul against Andhra Pradesh, in the semifinals. Jhulan clean bowled all her victims.
The case of Sulakshana is more intriguing. If she is selected then the WCAI will have to convince Anju to adjust herself to some other fielding position. While Anju failed to even score a half-century, her top score being 49 against Mumbai in the quarterfinals, she was hardly impressive keeping wickets.
Railways' Sulakshana, who bats in the sixth or seventh position, does well in that slot. With quick ones and twos and the odd boundaries she batted well throughout the championship.
"We do a lot of hard work, but nobody even recognises us as national players," says Sulakshana who started her career in cricket with the Mumbai team. What interests her in keeping wickets? "Every ball, you are involved in the game and I like being in that position," she said.
Coached by her elder brother, Ajay, Sulakshana got a break as wicket-keeper while playing at the Shivaji Park Gymkhana. "My brother's team did not have a 'keeper and since I was a regular with him, I took up the job," says Sulakshana.
Waiting to be picked in the Indian team, Sulakshana was more practical about her chances. "I have my own way of keeping wickets and I'll keep on performing. I think I'll have to wait for a while, but I hope for the best," she said.
One hopes that the wait for these youngsters will not be a long one. As it is, the motivation for the women players is not the financial rewards but just an opportunity to show their skills and enjoy the game.
Women do not even get the match fee for playing in the National championship, while the men are paid handsomely even for Ranji Trophy matchs.
The scores:Final: Air-India 132 in 90 overs (Neetu David six for 35) and 190 for nine in 45 overs (Purnima Rau 49, Sunaina Mehan 47 not out, Anju Jain 41, Neetu David five for 74) lost to Railways 214 for seven in 90 overs (Mithali Raj 99 not out, Hemlata Kala 34, Rupanjali Shastri 26 not out, Rajini Venugopal 25) and 109 for one in 37.3 overs (Vanitha Viola 50 not out, Rajini Venugopal 40).
Semifinals: Air-India 198 in 88.3 overs (Rumeli Dhar 66, Purnima Rau 35, Deepali Patar 26, Monica Preety three for 47) beat Andhra Pradesh 116 in 69 overs (Sudha Rani 31, Archana 27, Monica 25, Jhulan five for 17).
Railways 254 in 89.4 overs (Arundhati Kirkire 81, Deepa Kulkarni 25, Nooshin three for 74, Rashmi S. three for 69) beat Karnataka 45 in 58.1 overs (Neetu David four for 11).
Best batswoman: Rajini Venugopal; Best bowler: Neetu David; Most promising player: Jhulan Goswami.
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