Picture Credit: X/BCCI
Sajana Sanjeevan is a 29-year-old women cricketer who grabbed everyone’s attention on Friday, February 23 by hitting a six on the last ball of the first match of WPL 2024. She went on to smash a six on the only ball she faced, when Mumbai Indians Women needed five runs off the last ball.
The wonder girl was born in Wayanad, Kerala. Sajana witnessed her father toil as a rickshaw driver to make ends meet. She played with only plastic and coconut pedal bats until the age of 18 and later she performed brilliantly for her state side Kerala, South Zone and India A. Seeing these performances, Mumbai Indians Women secured her services for INR 15 Lakh at the WPL 2024 auction.
Sajana's journey to WPL stardom was marked by notable achievements and stellar performances. She made her presence felt on the cricketing scene by leading Kerala's Under-23 team to victory in the Twenty-20 Super League in 2019. Her standout performances came in the Senior Women's T20 Trophy 2023 where she amassed 134 runs and claimed 6 wickets.
Sajana became the second cricketer from Kerala to play in the Women's Premier League (WPL). Her journey serves as a source of inspiration for aspiring cricketers from marginalized backgrounds, showcasing the transformative power of sports. Sajana excelled in both right-arm off-break bowling and right-handed batting, which set the stage for her career in cricket.
Sajana started playing district cricket in 2012 and earned INR 150 a day. However, that meagre amount was enough to keep her motivated for greater heights. Sajana's journey is a testament to perseverance and unwavering determination. Her journey has been a source of inspiration for aspiring cricketers from marginalized backgrounds which showcases the transformative power of sports.