Responsibility is not new to Kolhapur-based India 'A' skipper Patil, the sole breadwinner of her middle-class family, who aims to make it big in life
India 'A' skipper Anuja Patil bowls during a practice session at the MCA's BKC ground yesterday. Pic/Prakash Parsekar
As the world prepares to celebrate International Women's Day on Thursday, Kolhapur-based cricketer Anuja Patil could be the perfect curtain-raiser. Anuja, who represented India in 27 T20Is, was recently announced skipper of India 'A' which will face the Australian women's team in two warm-up games beginning today at MCA's BKC ground.
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Responsibility is not new to Anuja. She shouldered it en route her cricketing journey by lessening the load for her parents who made great sacrifices for her to emerge as a quality cricketer in Kolhapur. She is the only child of Arun and Shobha, and the breadwinner of the middle-class Patil family. "I really enjoy shouldering responsibilities, be it on the field or at home. I know the sacrifices my parents had to make to give me the kind of facilities I enjoy today. It is my duty to give something back to them," Anuja, 25, told mid-day yesterday.
Anuja Patil (left) with mother Shobha and father Arun
On a home run
Once cricket helped to be somewhat self sufficient, she stopped her dad from driving his auto rickshaw. "My dad wanted to continue driving, but I convinced him to stop last year," Anuja added. She now has plans to buy a house for her parents. "I had decided to gift my parents a car and a home. Last year, I gifted them a car, but I will buy a house for them soon," she added.
Coming from a family of cricketers — Arun, an off-spinner, who used to open the batting for Shahu Sports Club and uncle Mahadev, an all-rounder, who represented Fighters CC — helped Anuja understand the game better.
"I used to watch their matches at Shivaji University and Shastri Nagar ground [in Kolhapur]. Sometimes, I bunked classes to watch those matches. Whatever I am is because of my dad and uncle. I learnt this game by watching them play. Even now, I try to copy their sweep shots and square cuts," said Anuja, the first cricketer from Kolhapur to make it to Team India.
Arun, a proud father
Indeed, Arun is a proud father. "My daughter has fulfilled my dreams. When I used to play cricket, I wanted to represent Maharashtra and India, but that did not happen. Today, I enjoy watching Anuja play for India. She was the one who forced me to stop driving the auto which I drove for 10 years," said Arun, 58.
Indian women's team coach, Tushar Arothe said: "Anuja has been leading Maharashtra. She has also performed well in South Africa during the T20 series recently, so the selectors decided to hand her the India 'A' captaincy. I am happy that she is also shouldering responsibility at home."
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