Minnu Mani Makes History as Kerala’s First Woman Cricketer to Represent India

As the India and Bangladesh women’s cricket teams geared up for their inaugural T20I in Mirpur on a Sunday afternoon, a different kind of excitement filled the Mani household in Mananthavady, located in Kerala’s Wayanad district. Suddenly, the entire place became alive with the presence of relatives, neighbors, and well-wishers, gathering on the verandah. Notably, local MLA O.R. Kelu, municipal councilors, and news channels were also present, adding to the atmosphere. The much-awaited moment had finally arrived for the picturesque hill town. Minnu Mani, a source of immense pride for Wayanad, was on the verge of creating history by becoming the first woman cricketer from Kerala to represent the senior Indian cricket team.

According to Minnu’s father, Mani, she had initially informed them that she was unlikely to be selected for the first game. However, around 10:30 in the morning, she surprised them with a call, revealing that she would be a part of the playing eleven. She requested them to pray for her success. Instantly, Mani informed all the neighbors and well-wishers, who gathered at their house to watch the match together.

Despite being an international game, there was no live television broadcast available. Instead, everyone relied on their phones and tuned in to the YouTube channel of the Bangladesh Cricket Board to witness Minnu’s performance on the grandest stage of her career thus far.

On the cricket field, Minnu, aged 24, was honored with her cap by her favorite player, Smriti Mandhana. Notably, Minnu was one of the two debutants for the Indian team, alongside Bareddy Anusha. Following India’s decision to field first, Minnu, an off-spinning all-rounder, took the ball during the powerplay, still wearing her cap.

Bangladesh‘s opening batswoman, Shamima Sultana, aggressively attacked Minnu, hitting a six and a four off the second and third deliveries of the fifth over. Undeterred by this onslaught, Minnu calmly tossed the next delivery, appearing even slower than her previous two balls. This change of pace deceived Sultana, who ended up mistiming her shot. The right-hander skied the slog sweep directly into the hands of Jemimah Rodrigues stationed at deep square leg. Securing a wicket in her first over made the day even sweeter for Minnu, and back at her home in Mananthavady, her proud parents, Mani and Vasantha, joyfully opened a box of sweets to celebrate this remarkable achievement.

Mani expressed, “Words cannot fully capture the immense joy we feel. Minnu has dedicated years of hard work to represent India, and to take a wicket in the very first over is simply incredible. What more could we have asked for? The entire town is filled with elation.”

In her second over, Minnu came close to claiming another wicket when Sobhana Mostary mistimed a slog and offered a tough chance at short square leg, which unfortunately Pooja Vastrakar couldn’t hold on to. Nonetheless, Minnu concluded her spell with commendable figures of 3 overs, 21 runs, and 1 wicket. India successfully limited Bangladesh to 114/5 and comfortably chased down the target in 16.2 overs, securing a resounding seven-wicket victory.

During the post-match presentation ceremony, India’s captain, Harmanpreet Kaur, expressed her admiration for Minnu and Anusha’s bowling performance in the powerplay. Kaur mentioned, “I was eager to see how they would fare in the initial six overs and later on. Both of them bowled exceptionally well. They quickly adapted to the conditions, showcasing their commitment to the team.”

Minnu, belonging to the Kurichiya tribe in Wayanad, had previously made her mark by being the sole player from Kerala to participate in the Women’s Premier League (WPL). She was signed by the Delhi Capitals for a substantial sum of Rs 30 lakh. However, due to the presence of renowned players such as Shafali Verma, Rodrigues, and Meg Lanning in the star-studded lineup, Minnu only had the opportunity to play three matches throughout the season.

Mani confessed that he held reservations about Minnu pursuing cricket initially. He admitted, “I had little knowledge about cricket and believed it was a sport exclusively for men, played mainly by affluent individuals. However, Minnu’s teacher, Elsamma, at Mananthavady Government Vocational Higher Secondary School, redirected her interest towards cricket and introduced her to coach Shanavas sir, who was associated with the Wayanad district team.”

Mani acknowledged that once Minnu began progressing through different levels, he recognized the importance of supporting her dreams. He expressed, “Thanks to the coaches at the Kerala Cricket Association’s women’s academy and the Kerala women’s team coach, Suman Sharma, Minnu’s journey kept advancing. I made efforts to assist her by arranging funds for her travel and training requirements. Throughout the years, many well-wishers generously lent me money to support her aspirations. This moment allows me to express my gratitude to all of them.”

Mani attributed his daughter’s remarkable journey primarily to her unwavering determination. He shared that Minnu diligently travels 42 kilometers each way daily, relying on four buses, to train at the KCA stadium in Krishnagiri during the off-season. Her dedication and commitment have been the driving forces behind her rise in the sport.

Suman Sharma, the long-time coach of the Kerala women’s team, holds a strong belief that Minnu has the potential to become one of the finest all-rounders in the country. Sharma remarked, “Minnu possesses exceptional athleticism and is a fantastic fielder. She has the ability to both launch aggressive attacks and defend skillfully with the bat. All she needed was more exposure at the higher level to overcome nervousness and fear. With her promising start for India, I am delighted, and I am confident that she can establish herself as a valuable all-rounder across formats.”

Sharma’s confidence in Minnu’s abilities stems from her all-round skills, including her fielding prowess. With further experience and opportunities, Minnu has the potential to shine and contribute significantly to the Indian team’s success.