Kranti Goud (Source: @CricCrazyJohns/x.com)
In the 21st century, when a girl in India achieves something big, the entire nation claps together, but have we thought about whether we treat our next-door girl in the same way? Recently, the India Women lifted their maiden World Cup trophy, earning nationwide pride, yet cricket often remains seen as a man’s game in many corners of society.
You don’t have to look at an example of that discrimination, as Team India’s young pacer Kranti Goud is a living example of that. For her village, cricket is a male-dominated sport, as she faced criticism in her early days for chasing her dreams.
From facing criticism for chasing her dreams to earning praise with World Cup glory, the young star has become an inspiration, and here we look back at his incredible story explaining how it all started.
Kranti overcomes every ‘You Can’t’ with her own excellence
Since the beginning, we have been taught that we are a social animal, but sometimes societies become the reason for our biggest heartbreak. Dreams and society’s rules can’t go parallel, as society puts a label on dreams that can’t be achieved. But some of the warriors break society’s norms, and thousands of youngsters get inspiration.
In the recently ended Women’s World Cup, a 22-year-old young pacer, Kranti Goud, grabbed attention with her exceptional bowling and lifted the prestigious trophy. After the daughters of India achieved glory, the entire country hailed them, but the long way that Kranti Goud achieved is nothing short of inspiring.
Hailing from Ghuwara, a small village of Madhya Pradesh, around 264.1 KM away from Bhopal, Kranti started her journey on the dusty roads of the village. From a young age, she faced criticism from society simply for chasing her cricketing dream. Many would have given up under such pressure, but Kranti’s determination never wavered; otherwise, India might never have discovered a raw talent like her.
Kranti steps into her brother’s shoes, marking her first step in cricket
Being judged for picking up cricket balls, Kranti’s way to cricket was not easy, but the youngster proved that the hardest path comes with the most unforgettable memories. From playing with the village boys, Goud’s first break in cricket came in the year 2017. Dr Harisingh Gour Cricket Academy’s coach Sonu Valmiki visited her village for a tournament.
After one of his team’s players fell sick, he was looking for a local player. After Valmiki approached her to play, she didn’t miss the chance, as she was eagerly waiting for the chance. With a stranger’s jersey and her brother’s shoes. In that match, he secured 2 wickets and scored 25 runs.
That was a turning point in her career as he joined Valmiki’s academy and sharpened her skills. Being mastered as swings and ace bouncers, Kranti worked hard relentlessly, having a dream of donning India Blues.
She defies every odds to become the World Champion
After marking her first mark in cricket, the young bowler never looked back. Seizing every opportunity with determination, she dominated the domestic circuit, proving that a fearless spirit can rise from adversity. Defying societal norms and obstacles, she showed how passion and perseverance can turn dreams into reality.
As Kranti chased her dream, her family played a crucial role. When her father lost his job, her mother sold her own jewelry to buy Kranti the gear she needed to bowl with precision. Her brother, working long hours on a construction site, chipped in to support her journey. Even though Kranti’s education remained unfinished, the pacer never let cricket slip away.
In May 2025, a little girl from Ghuwara saw her dream come alive, Kranti Goud donned the India jersey for the very first time. Facing Sri Lanka Women in Colombo, Kranti Goud made her ODI debut. As a kid, all budding players dreamt of representing India in the World Cup, but very few get the chance to turn the dream into reality, and Kranti is one of them.
Representing India Women in the Women’s World Cup was just not a dream-come-true moment for the young bowler. Every time she stepped into the field, every delivery was an answer against all the restrictions, all the man-made norms of the society.
In eight matches, she secured nine wickets with an economy rate of 5.73. From being barred from a sport long considered “male-dominated” to becoming a key member of India’s maiden World Cup-winning squad, her journey stands as a testament to how an indomitable spirit can shatter every barrier.
