Sometimes it takes only one ball to become an overnight cricket sensation, as Sajana Sajeevan can attest. The 29-year-old tribal girl from Choottakadavu near Mananthavady in Kerala achieved her moment of glory in her debut match for Mumbai Indians in the Women’s T20 challenge. With Mumbai Indians needing five runs off the last ball, Sajana danced down the track and smashed the off-spinner for a six over the long-on fence, leading her team to a thrilling four-wicket win against Delhi Capitals.
Sajana’s heroics on her debut did not come as a surprise to those who have closely followed her cricketing career. Over a decade ago, in her first match for the senior team in the Senior Women’s T20 tournament in Guntur, Sajana hit a boundary off the last ball to secure a win for Kerala against Hyderabad. Even at the age of 18, she displayed remarkable composure and nerves of steel.
Sajana’s ability to hit sixes comes naturally, as she grew up playing cricket in the paddy fields of Choottakadavu with boys. She mentioned in an interview that as a child, she used to play with plastic balls and her first bat was made from a coconut petiole. So when she finally got a proper cricket bat in her hands, hitting sixes became second nature.
What made Sajana’s debut even more memorable was the presence of her guru and mentor Elsamma Baby in the crowd. Elsamma, a retired physical education teacher, played a pivotal role in shaping Sajana’s and Minnu Mani’s cricketing careers. Both Sajana and Minnu, the second international women’s cricketer from Kerala who played for Delhi Capitals in the same match, were originally athletes. But Elsamma encouraged them to take up cricket when they joined Government Vocational Higher Secondary School in Mananthavady. Both players acknowledged their guru’s influence and dedication, with Minnu even falling at Elsamma’s feet to seek her blessings after the match.
Sajana’s journey in cricket has not been easy. Being the eldest daughter of an autorickshaw driver and a panchayat ward councillor, she faced financial difficulties and struggled to travel for matches initially. But her talent and perseverance paid off, and she started earning money when she was selected to play for her district. The daily allowance of Rs 150 that she received at the beginning gradually increased to Rs 900. Sajana used her earnings to rebuild her family’s home, which was destroyed by the 2018 floods, and took loans to support her cricketing aspirations.
However, Sajana realizes that hitting just one six in her debut match is not enough to fulfill her dream of playing for the country. The determined cricketer knows that she has to consistently perform and make each ball count in the future. With her natural talent and unwavering dedication, Sajana Sajeevan has the potential to leave a lasting impact on Indian women’s cricket.
