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I'm trying to pave the way for young Asian girls: The Hundred’s London Spirit star Naomi Dattani

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Among Women of South Asian origin, Naomi Dattani is part of the privileged three who have got professional contracts to represent sides in England and Wales. But the British Indian, Middlesex captain’s way to this height hasn’t been easy one bit. 

Now playing the inaugural edition of The Hundred (Women’s), Dattani, has to make her way out of an orthodox Indian family in the UK. Although she grew up in Ealing in west London and went to the same Greenford High School as England football star Bukayo Saka, getting into cricket was something that didn’t come her way without a fight. 

"As I grew up through my 20s the questions around 'when are you getting married?' start coming in, and constantly trying to persuade or challenge those comments became quite tiring,” said the 27-year-old, who had her first senior game for Middlesex as early as 14 years of age. 

"I think it's been a long journey from playing in the back garden with my older brother smashing my mum's pots and plants everywhere!" the London born added in her interview to Sky Sports News. 

If the road has been so hard and arduous then why did she take it, when she could have had an easy career in law, medicine and other businesses like many other South Asians?

Answering that Dattani says, "It spurs me on to keep going to know that I'm trying to pave the way for young Asian girls so they don't have to face that and they can go through that pathway a lot easier.”

One among the 41 women to receive regional domestic contracts this year, the left haded Sunrisers batter is also spreading the idea of being proud of one’s culture without fearing being a minority. 

Narrating her own story, Dattani says, "I didn't really embrace my culture at that time. I just kind of wanted to fit in with everyone and not really make a big deal about it. But the older I've got, I've realised ... embrace my culture. I'm proud of who I am.”

The all-rounder, who has had a decent season with Spirit Women side said how she now makes it a matter of pride that she wears and lives the way she wants to instead of trying to fit in. "I wear a necklace with a Ganesh (the Hindu God known for removing obstacles) that I hold on to every time I play a match. And I'm proud to come from where I come from,” she said. 

“I want to see people embracing their culture from a young age and not being shy to show it in front of others when they feel like they might be the minority,” added Dattani, whose team currently stands at sixth position on the table, but wins their last two games could well see them getting into the Playoffs by finishing in top three.

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