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Pooja Vastrakar has created a sensation with her remarkable performance in the women’s T20 International series against South Africa. The right-arm pacer has taken eight wickets in the T20 series with a figure of 4/13 in the final match which is her career best.
Here are some facts about Indian Women’s Cricket Team all-rounder Pooja Vastrakar:
Background
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Pooja Vastrakar started playing cricket in a neighborhood in Shahdol, Madhya Pradesh with fellow kids. She began her formal training under coach Ashutosh Shrivastava who was quick to recognize her talent. She initially started as a batter, but, later, she also took to bowling. At the age of 15, she was a part of India’s Green Women Squad.
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Pooja Vastrakar Domestic Career
Pooja Vastrakar made her domestic debut in a Twenty20 match against Odisha on 9th March 2013. She has also played for the Rewa division as well as the Shahdol division in Madhya Pradesh.
International Journey
Pooja Vastrakar made her international debut for India Women with WODI against South Africa Women on 10 February 2018.
She made her Women’s Twenty20 International cricket (WT20I) debut for India Women against South Africa Women on 13 February 2018.
In October 2018, Vastrakar was listed in India’s squad for the 2018 ICC Women’s World Twenty20 tournament in the West Indies. However, she was ruled out of the tournament after suffering an injury during a warm-up match. In January 2020, she found herself in India’s squad for the 2020 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in Australia.
Challenges
In 2016, Pooja Vastrakar twisted her knee while fielding during a senior women’s domestic match. She had to undergo surgery for her anterior cruciate ligament tear which put her national call-up in jeopardy. The 2018 Challenger Trophy played a crucial role in Vastrakar’s selection for India’s South Africa tour.
Family
Vastrakar’s father is a retired employee of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL). Her mother passed away when she was ten years old. She has six siblings, four sisters and two brothers. She is the youngest of seven siblings.
