Dhoni-Lawn Bowls

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The Indian Women’s Fours team in Lawn Bowls have made it to the final of the event and are all set to bring home a silver medal at the least. The quartet of Lovely Choubey, Rupa Rani Tirkey, Pinki and Nayanmoni Saikia stunned New Zealand in the semifinals as they beat them 16-13 to progress to the next round. Notably, this will be India’s first-ever medal in Lawn Bowls and the Women’s team are on cloud nine on their achievement.

The four players talked about their journey till now and revealed the hardships, as well as, the motivation that helps them do well in a little-known sport. With the leader of the pack, Lovely Choubey and her teammate Rupa Rani hailing from Ranchi, MS Dhoni was definitely going to come in the story and he did. Lovely revealed that the former Indian cricketer pays a visit whenever he is around.

"Dhoni sir knows our coach in Ranchi and has come to see us at the greens twice over the years. We have a Dewri Mata temple close by, when he goes there he comes to see us as well. We had a chat about the sport as well. He said whenever he is in Australia he goes to play Lawn Bowls," remembered Lovely.

This is as big as Olympics: Lovely Choubey

The four women then talked about what this win meant to them. Lovely said that it is as big as Olympics for the team as Lawn Bowls is not a part of Summer Games. "This is as big as the Olympics for us since lawn bowls are not part of the Summer Games. We lost the medal by one point four years ago but this time we have made up for that by making history. I hope this effort gives us some recognition," Lovely, who is featuring in her third CWG, told PTI.

"I got into Lawn Bowls in 2008 after leaving athletics. I won Rs 70000 in a national event and told myself I could continue with this," said Lovely who, alongside Rupa, trains at the RK Anand Bowls Green Stadium in Ranchi.