The online world full of perfect bodies, pouty lips, and weight-loss challenges. But maybe it’s time to see less of siren Sydney Sweeney and more of South African cricketer Lizelle Lee
Delhi Capitals’ Lizelle Lee plays a shot during the Women’s Premier League 2026 eliminator T20 cricket match between Gujarat Giants and Delhi Capitals, in Vadodara, Gujarat, on February 3. Pic/PTI
I love social media, and that’s why maybe, I am pretty numb to constant bombardment of weight-loss challenges (which I watch while drinking Thums Up), interspersed with sexy celebrities in their sexy lingerie. But when actress Sydney Sweeney launched her lingerie line, Syrn, the commercials hit me like a tonne of bricks.
Her body is perfect — thin waist, big breasts, and her pout intact — she looks like a goddess. A goddess who mere mortals like us will never look like. And to see her again and again and again, felt like an onslaught.
To add to the injury, a mommy blogger, who has just given birth, was talking about how she had put on 25 kg, and wants to lose it all. She showed her weighing scale and she only weighs 74 kg. Arrey, that’s what I almost weigh without having any children. And this lady wants to weigh 50 kg, after three children, at age 40? Aisa bhi hota hai!
And then there are celebrities like Kylie Jenner, who are talking about replacing their “snacking” with “cutting jelly”. Aren’t you already “cut” enough, Kylie? Also, also, there are all our influencers who used to be curvy, and all are super thin — Kusha Kapila being the biggest example.
What does one do in these times? Well, I found a saviour.
And she is… South African cricketer Lizelle Lee.
I spotted her recently watching the Women's Premier League, and I was in awe. The 33-year-old wicket-keeper-batter, who has been playing cricket since 2013, is curvy, and athletic. Why I stress on that is because, women who are curvy, are rarely considered to be fit, let alone be playing a strenuous sport like cricket.
When I read up about Lee, I was even more inspired. In an interview with BBC in 2022, Lee spoke about constant pressure from Cricket South Africa regarding her weight, which she said caused her severe emotional distress and contributed to her retirement from international cricket.
But Lee is no quitter. She didn’t give up on cricket and has been following it up by being in good form playing with Hobart Hurricanes in the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL), where her team won the title. And now, we can see her killing it with the Delhi Capitals. In fact, I am watching the matches for her.
In a world where the Kylies and Sydneys set the “standard of beauty”, Lizelle Lee is needed more than ever. Whenever I see her on screen, I believe that I can have thick thighs and still be swift, healthy and fit. When I see her catch a wicket, I feel that if I have talent, then my belly will never get in the way.
So, if you are like me, getting despondent every time you open Instagram, and see another perfect bikini body, don’t fret. Embrace the Lizelle Lee inside you, and know that the world’s a stadium, and you are just hitting it out of the park.
See you next time.
Ranting and raving about all that’s trending on social media, Aastha Atray Banan is an author, creator, podcaster, and the Editor of your favourite weekend read, Sunday mid-day.
She posts at @aasthaatray on Instagram. Send your feedback to mailbag@mid-day.com
The views expressed in this column are the individual’s and don’t represent those of the paper.
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