The Indian women’s team has registered their name in history by winning the Under-19 T20 World Cup 2023. Team India defeated England by 7 wickets in the final match played at Senwes Park in Potchefstroom on 29th January.
In the final match, Off-spinner Archana Devi took two wickets for 17 runs in three overs. The cricketing journey of 18-year-old Archana Devi has been full of difficulties.
Her success story is very long, starting with a straw house in a small village in the Unnao district. When Archana was four years old, her father left the world due to cancer. Archana’s brother also died of a snakebite six years ago. In such a situation, it was not easy for the mother to keep her daughter’s dreams of becoming a cricketer alive.
Poonam Gupta, a teacher of Kasturba Gandhi Residential School, Ganjmuradabad, has played an important role in improving the career of Archana Devi, Who recognized his sporting talent. After completing the eighth standard, Poonam took him to Kapil Pandey in Kanpur. Kapil Pandey has also given coaching to Indian cricketer Kuldeep Yadav.
After winning the ICC Women’s U-19 World Cup 2023, her coach Kapil Pandey explained her story of struggle.
“I had a conversation with Archana on Sunday night after winning the match, she was very happy with her victory, and now her dream is to play for Team India. After the match, people in the village celebrated by singing and dancing. When Archana came to me in 2017, I made her bowl and learned about her hidden talent. But she didn’t have resources. There was no place in Kanpur. Her village was about 30 kilometers away from Kanpur, and she could not come every day.” Kapil had said to the media.
Kapil Pandey further added that Indian cricket Kuldeep Yadav helped other children.
“When Kuldeep was in Kanpur, he would practice with other children, including Archana, and teach them cricketing secrets. Earlier, Archana used to bowl medium pace, but later I asked her to bowl off-spin, and then she became a good off-spinner.” Kapil Pandey further added.
