When Kranti Goud picked up a cricket ball for the first time in her small village Ghuwara in Madhya Pradesh she never thought it would take her this far. Today she is being celebrated across India as one of the players who helped the Indian women’s cricket team win its first ever World Cup. India beat South Africa by 52 runs in the final in Navi Mumbai and Kranti was one of the stars of the tournament.
As a child Kranti faced a lot of criticism. In her village girls were not allowed to play cricket. Many people told her family to stop her from playing with boys. But Kranti never gave up. She believed that one day those same people would clap for her.
That dream has now come true.
How It All Began
Kranti’s love for cricket started in a very simple way. She used to stand near the local field where boys played and helped by picking up and returning balls that went outside. One day the boys were short of a player and asked her to join. At first she was only allowed to field. Then slowly she started bowling. She had no idea about different types of bowling but she enjoyed it and kept trying.
A local cricket coach named Rajiv Bilthre noticed her talent and offered to train her. Under his guidance she started playing proper matches. Within a few months she was playing senior level games. Within a year she represented Madhya Pradesh’s under 19 team.
She says she did not even know that an Indian women’s cricket team existed at that time. Once she found out about it that became her dream.
Rising to the Top
Kranti made her international debut just five months ago and now she is already a world champion. In the World Cup she took nine wickets at an average of 18.55. Her best moment came when she took key wickets in the match against Pakistan which helped India win.
She says this victory is a proud moment for her family and for the entire country. Her calm nature and discipline on the field have impressed everyone. She says she always listens to her coach Amol Muzumdar and tries to keep things simple. Her focus is on bowling straight and steady.
A Proud Moment for Madhya Pradesh
After the World Cup win the Madhya Pradesh government announced a reward of one crore rupees for Kranti. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav congratulated her and said she had made the entire state proud. He called her the daughter of Chhatarpur and an inspiration for every young girl who wants to follow her dreams.
In Ghuwara people who once told her not to play are now cheering her name. Banners with her photos are put up in her village and everyone is talking about how their own Kranti made India proud.
Meeting the Prime Minister and the President
Kranti also met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu after the team’s victory. It was a big moment for her and her family. She shared a small story about her meeting with the Prime Minister. She told him that her brother admires him a lot. The Prime Minister smiled and said he would like to meet her brother one day.
For Kranti it was a moment she will never forget.
An Inspiration for Every Girl
Kranti’s experience illustrates grit and resilience. She overcame societal hurdles to achieve greatness. Today, she motivates girls throughout India to chase their aspirations and continue to pursue their dreams without hesitance.
Kranti states she advanced her skills even though she was unsure of what society would think about her playing cricket, she feared that laughter would follow. Now, those that laughed, who she thought would laugh continue to cheer for her every time she takes a wicket.
From the dusty lanes of Ghuwara, to the bright lights of the World Cup Kranti Goud proves to us that no dream is too big, if only we put faith in ourselves and never stop working.
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