BAN-W vs IND-W: Asha Sobhana becomes oldest India debutant in Women’s cricket

BAN-W vs IND-W: Asha Sobhana becomes oldest India debutant in Women’s cricket

Asha Sobhana became the oldest debutant for India in women’s internationals during the fourth T20I against Bangladesh on Monday, May 6 at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium. At the age of 33 years and 51 days, the leg-spinner got her maiden chance to don the national colours. She broke the record of Seema Pujare, who debuted for India at the age of 31 in an ODI against Sri Lanka back in 2008 at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium. Interestingly, apart from Sobhana and Pujare, no other Indian women’s cricketer made debuts under the age of 30. Having already taken a 3-0 lead in the 5-match series, India made a couple of changes to their playing XI. Even as Titas Sadhu was roped in as a replacement for Renuka Singh Thakur, Sobhana replaced the talented Shreyanka Patil. Sobhana recently earned her maiden India call-up after she performed exceptionally while playing for Smriti Mandhana’s RCB in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2024. In one of the games against Alyssa Healy’s UP Warriorz, she picked up a 5-wicket haul. Habiba Islam debuts at 14 Habiba Islam Pinky made her debut at the age of 14. Courtesy: Bangladesh Cricket. Along with Sobhana, right-arm pacer Habiba Islam Pinky made her debut at the age of 14 years and 340 days. Pinky became the second-youngest Bangladeshi to debut in international cricket. Back in 2019, Rabeya Khan wore the national jersey for the first time against Nepal in the South Asian Games. She was 14 years and 268 days back then. Rabeya, 19 now, is currently a part of the Bangladesh squad along with Pinky for the T20I series against India. Habiba Islam Pinky (14 years 340 days) was born after Asha Sobhana Joy (33 years 51 days) started playing domestic cricket. They made their T20I debut in the same match today, against each other. — Abhishek Mukherjee (@ovshake42) May 6, 2024 Pinky was not even born when Sobhana started playing domestic cricket. Pakistan’s Ayesha Naseem (15 years and 209 days), Bangladesh’s Nahida Akter (15 years and 212 days) and India’s Shafali Verma (15 years and 239 days) also made their debuts at a young age. Published By: sabyasachi chowdhury Published On: May 6, 2024

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RCB star Asha Sobhana creates all-time record for India in T20Is – India TV

RCB star Asha Sobhana creates all-time record for India in T20Is – India TV

Image Source : BCCI Asha Sobhana Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) star Asha Sobhana finally got her chance to make a debut for India in the fourth T20I against Bangladesh. She had received a maiden call-up for the five-match T20I series but was benched in the first three matchs. With India sealing the series with a 3-0 lead, the visitors decided to test their bench strength and accordingly, handed a debut to leg-spinner Asha who was one of the most impressive bowlers in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) earlier this year. Interestingly, even before delivering her first ball at the international level, Asha created an all-time record for India as she became the oldest debutant in the shortest format. The leggie is 33 years and 51 days old as she was handed over her cap by Smriti Mandhana. Asha broke the long-standing record Seema Pujare in this aspect who had made her T20I debut in 2008 at the age of 32 years and 50 days. Overall, she ended up playing 8 ODIs and one T20I in her career. Coming back to Asha Sobhana, her maiden call-up to the Indian team followed after a brilliant show in WPL where she ended as the second highest wicket-taker of the season with 12 scalps to her name. Her role was crucial in RCB lifting the trophy for the first time in its 17-year history, including the IPL. Meanwhile, Bangladesh Women also handed a debut to 14-year-old medium pacer in Habiba Islam in the fourth T20I as they will be hoping that the youngster steps up in her first ever international match. This is also a landmark game for India skipper Harmanpreet Kaur who is playing her 300th international match. Playing XIs for 4th T20Is India Women – Shafali Verma, Smriti Mandhana, D Hemalatha, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Richa Ghosh (wk), Deepti Sharma, S Sajana, Pooja Vastrakar, Asha Sobhana, Titas Sadhu, Radha Yadav Bangladesh Women – Nigar Sultana Joty (c & wk), Nahida Akter, Dilara Akter Dola, Rubya Haider Jhelik, Murshida Khatun, Rabeya, Marufa Akter, Mst Shorifa Khatun, Habiba Islam Pinky, Mst Ritu Moni, Shorna Akter

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