Daughter of a Wireman From the Narrow Lanes of Dharavi Secures a 1.9 Crore WPL Deal!
When Simran Shaikh first picked up a cricket bat at the age of 15, she could hardly have imagined that one day she’d make headlines across the nation. She grew up in the cramped lanes of Dharavi and faced more than just financial challenges. As a young girl playing cricket in a predominantly male-dominated sport and neighborhood, she became a target for gossip.“Yeh ladki, ladkon ke sath khelti hai (She plays with boys),” the neighbors whispered to her father, Jahid Ali. Yet, Jahid, a wireman who struggled to make ends meet for his family of eleven, stood by his daughter’s dreams. Jahid recalls that they had told him to teach Simran household chores, but he had refused, as he believed in her.The First Step Toward StardomSimran’s cricketing journey began humbly with local matches where her raw talent shone. Her career took flight when she joined the United Club. Despite financial hardships, her father scraped together enough to buy her cricket kits and equipment.Her talent quickly caught attention, leading to her selection for the Mumbai U19 women’s team. But her path to success was far from smooth. Coming from an underprivileged Muslim family, societal expectations constantly loomed over her. Simran shares that it wasn’t easy being a girl playing cricket in her community, and there were days when she questioned if it was worth it. However, her father’s support kept her going.Rising from SetbacksIn 2022, Simran was part of the UP Warriorz in the inaugural Women’s Premier League. However, after a few lacklustre performances, she was released from the squad, and the following auction saw her go unsold. It could have been the end of her dream, but Simran’s determination turned this setback into an opportunity for growth.She doubled down on her training, worked on her batting skills, and honed the power game that caught the eye of selectors. This year, her hard work paid off when Gujarat Giants bid ₹1.9 crore for her at the WPL auction, making her the second-highest-paid uncapped player after Kashvee Gautam.“I was just hoping to get picked. This is beyond my imagination,” Simran says, her voice tinged with disbelief and gratitude.Source: Google ImagesTransforming a Family’s DestinySimran’s success has brought hope and change to her family. Her father shares emotionally that they had lived in narrow lanes all their lives, with eleven people in two rooms, making it a constant struggle. However, with the money from Simran's success, they would now be able to buy a house and live with dignity. Her story is not just about cricket but about transforming her family’s future. The ₹1.9 crore deal is more than a paycheck; it is a lifeline, a symbol of hope for a better tomorrow.Gujarat Giants’ coach Michael Klinger spoke highly of Simran, emphasizing her powerful batting and ability to maintain a high strike rate. “Simran and Deandra Dottin bring power and create a winning culture. I’m excited to see what she brings to the team,” he said.A Role Model for ManySimran’s rise to fame is not just her own victory but an inspiration for countless girls who dream of breaking free from societal norms. “It’s been a tough road, but cricket has given me everything. I’ll work harder than ever to make my family and my team proud” Simran Shaikh’s journey from the narrow lanes of Dharavi to the dazzling lights of the WPL is a story that warms hearts and inspires minds. It’s a tale of grit, family, and the power of dreams that refuse to be silenced.
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