She had to play the game as a schoolgirl without her parents knowing. The tribal player is now the toast of Kerala’s Wayanad region and beyond Minnu Mani, a Kerala cricketer, has come full circle. The 24-year-old all-rounder has gone through a range of emotions in recent months. Mani, who is from the Kurichiya tribe in Wayanad, not only became the state’s lone player to play in the inaugural Women’s Premier League (WPL) after being signed by Delhi Capitals for 30 lakh, but she also made her successful India T20 debut against Bangladesh last month.
What makes Mani emotional is the love she has received from the people of Wayanad since she rose to prominence as an India player, and how parents are now encouraging their daughters to play cricket and follow in Mani’s footsteps.
“When I expressed an interest in cricket, I received criticism from both society and my parents.” My parents had no idea I was quietly playing local matches until eighth grade. I was supposed to school, labor in the rice fields, and help my parents with their farming.
“Locals are so excited that someone from Wayanad is now playing for India and now they want their daughters to learn the sport like me. I have asked the local administration to grant me a small piece of land where I with the help of my sisters can build a cricket nursery so that the budding cricketers do not have to travel miles to train,β said Mani, who bagged five wickets in the three-match T20 series against Bangladesh and was the most impressive amongst all Indian bowlers
The Mananthavady Municipality in the Wayanad region of north Kerala has named a road junction after the cricketer. The Mysuru road junction, currently called as ‘Minnu Mani junction,’ is only 3 kilometers from her house, however there is no connecting road from there to her house.
“It feels special that they have shown me such respect.” I’ve seen streets named after actors and political figures. The local government will be constructing a connecting road shortly,” noted Mani, who believes cricket has altered her life. She completed her house, acquired furnishings, and a Scooty to travel to the academy with the money she earned from the Delhi Capitals after playing in the WPL.
“The BCCI has just transformed women’s cricket in India.” I hail from a poor family, but now I can imagine buying stuff for my parents so they don’t have to work so hard. To make a living, my father worked as a laborer and in paddy fields. I’m relieved he no longer needs to do that. “Now that I’ve played for India, I can apply for a job in the Indian Railways,” said Mani, who will use her Scooty to get to the Kerala Cricket Association Stadium for training, which is more than 50 kilometers away from her home.
She is also a member of the Indian team that will compete in the forthcoming Asian Games. Mani, a top-order left-handed batter and an outstanding off-spinner, aspires to flourish at the Asian Games and then continue to perform well in order to earn a spot in India’s ODI side.
“It will be an honor to represent India at the Asian Games.” As an all-rounder, I’m hoping to do well. “India has a star-studded batting lineup, and my turn in the Indian team usually comes when six wickets are down,” Mani explained, adding that she was surprised to see her name in India’s T20 team for the Bangladesh T20 series because she had only played three games in the WPL for the star-studded Delhi Capitals team. The 19th Asian Games Hangzhou will be held at the Zhejiang University of Technology Pingfeng Cricket Field from September 19 to October 8. The women’s cricket competition will be played in a T20 style from September 19 to September 28.
Given her growing popularity, it appears like the entire Wayanad will be glued to television when Mani bowls, bats, and delivers for India at the Asian Games.
