Women's Cricket
Amanjot Kaur: A carpenter's daughter, now finishing games for Mumbai Indians
The 25-year-old stole the show by guiding Mumbai Indians over the finish line against RCB.
(Photo credit: Sportzpics)
Mumbai Indians’ all-rounder Amanjot Kaur delivered a stellar performance against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the Women's Premier League (WPL) on Friday night at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
Amanjot impressed with both bat and ball, and played a pivotal role in her team’s 4-wicket win.
Her spell of 3/22, with scalps that included Richa Ghosh and Ellyse Perry, we good on its own. That bowling performance notwithstanding, he returned with the bat to score an unbeaten 34 runs off 27 balls while guiding MI to a thrilling last-over victory.
MI were chasing 167 runs and lost 4 wickets with score board reading 82.
That was when Amanjot stepped in and partnered with Harmanpreet Kaur to forge a vital 62-run partnership off 49 balls. Her aggressive 27-ball 34 included two sixes in crucial overs and brought Mumbai Indians back into the game.
Amanjot kept her composure and finished the job with one ball to spare.
Her performance on Friday night, however, would have seemed like a distant dream for the youngster who just last year was grappling with injuries.
Sidelined for eight-months
2024 was an an injury-marred season for Amanjot.
The 25-year-old missed the majority of the season due to a back stress fracture and a hand ligament injury. The injuries sidelined her for almost six to eight months, a period she describes as both crucial and transformative.
She stayed strong over this period, keeping a good attitude and concentrating on getting better.
Amanjot expressed gratitude for the unwavering support from her coaches Nagesh Gupta and Tanuja Lele.
“I am sure they must have cried happy tears. They were just waiting for me to get back on the field,” she said to the media after the game.
A consistent performer
Born in Chandigarh, Amanjot started playing cricket at the age of 15 under coach Nagesh Gupta. Her early career was greatly aided by her father, a carpenter, who adjusted his work schedule to help her attend training sessions.
Amanjot’s consistent performances at the domestic level, representing Punjab and then Chandigarh, caught the selectors’ eye. She then went on to lead her Chandigarh team.
She made her T20 International debut against South Africa last year and scored 41 runs off 30 balls, rescuing India from a vulnerable position. She was declared the 'Player of the Match' on her debut.
Amanjot made an even bigger impact when she managed the second-best ODI bowling debut of 4 off 31 runs by an Indian woman cricketer against Bangladesh in 2023.
With her recent run of performances, Amanjot Kaur has established herself as an invaluable all-rounder for the Mumbai Indians.
Her comeback and now a gutsy performance under pressure makes her an invaluable asset for her franchise and a earmarks her as a player for the future for India.
