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'Played Football Initially' - Saima Thakor Reflects On Her Inspiring Journey

Saima Thakor with her teammates during WPL 2024 [X.com]Saima Thakor with her teammates during WPL 2024 [X.com]

In a remarkable debut season with UP Warriorz in the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2024, Saima Thakor, the daughter of a driver, has left an indelible mark.

Having fought through adversities, Thakor's journey from a footballer to a cricketer is truly inspirational. She has demonstrated her skills and potential on the field as a right-arm medium-fast bowler.

Thakor, who hails from a humble background, transitioned to cricket from football, initially joining a cricket team in her junior college out of necessity. 

She revealed, 

"I used to play football initially and started cricket very late."

Despite financial challenges, she persevered, supported by her family, especially her father, who initially had concerns but eventually backed her aspirations.

Her determination paid off when she impressed in the Senior Women’s T20 Trophy for Mumbai, claiming 11 wickets in 10 matches, earning her a contract with UP Warriorz.

Thakor was grateful as she reflected on her journey, saying, 

"It's all like a dream for me; I used to think about when I'll get to play with the top stars, and now that it's a reality, that feeling hasn't sunk in yet. I feel pretty good. It's not that I am taking anything for granted—I have worked extremely hard."

Despite initially aspiring to be a wicketkeeper, Thakor found her niche as a pace bowler. Her first WPL wicket came against Mumbai Indians captain Harmanpreet Kaur, highlighting her potential. Despite a slow start in WPL matches, the team management has shown confidence in her abilities.

Thakor acknowledged the support and learning experience provided by UP Warriorz, particularly from teammates like captain Alyssa Healy and game-changer Deepti Sharma.

She emphasised the team's balanced composition and determination to improve, stating, 

"Our team is a very balanced one, only our execution went haywire in one or two games. Otherwise, we have great players with us. We have amazing people surrounding us, from mentors to coaching staff, and everyone puts in a lot of effort. Every player on our team is eager to assume the role."

The WPL season has seen significant fan support, a testament to the growing popularity of women's cricket. 

Thakor expressed gratitude for the encouragement received from fans, especially during matches at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. She noted the changing perception towards women's cricket, with fans recognizing the excitement and competitiveness of the sport.

While Thakor has yet to represent India Women at the international level, her domestic and WPL success underscores her talent and potential.