<p>For a woman to represent the country in a sport that is considered a religion, at a time when it is discouragingly male-dominated, and come out with flying colours is no mean feat. Yet Anjum Chopra, former captain of Indian women’s cricket team, did it. <br /><br /></p>.<p>The left-handed batswoman debuted with the national team at 17 and went on to play 12 test, 127 one-day international and 18 T20 matches over a career spanning 17 years. She was the first female player to represent the country in over 100 ODIs.<br /> <br />Anjum has been at the forefront of some of India’s most memorable victories, including that in the test series against South Africa in 2002. Since then, she has played at four ODI, two test and two T20 World Cup tournaments. After her retirement in 2012, Anjum was appointed as the technical consultant to the South Africa women’s cricket team, which recently qualified for the 2017 World Cup. She has also co-authored a book on the history of women’s cricket, titled Women’s Cricket World – A Journey from 1745- 2013.<br /><br />Wearing the blue jersey and representing India on the international platform was a dream come true, says the former skipper who interacted with Deccan Herald in an telephonic interview. <br /><br />Early years<br /><br />Born into a family of sportspersons, Anjum engaged in athletic events, basketball and swimming in her early years. Her father Krishan Bal Chopra is a golfer and her mother once won a car rally. “My uncle used to play cricket for the Delhi and Haryana teams, while my brother was in the Delhi Under-19 team,” she shares.<br /><br />At the age of nine, she played her first cricket match and was drawn to the game instantly. Over the next few years, her skills improved immensely and she found her way into the New Delhi under−15 team. Naturally, she became part of her school, college and Air India (where she later found a job) cricket teams in Delhi. <br /><br />Despite her mission to become a sportsperson, she never lost sight of her academic goals. Soon after her graduation from St Stephen’s College, Delhi University, Anjum went on to do her MBA in Marketing and Human Resources.<br /><br />More feathers in her cap<br /><br />Speaking about her book, Anjum says, “It all began when I wanted to document the history of women's cricket. It was a lovely experience, as I got to speak to sportspersons of different nationalities and learn about their lives and struggles.” <br /><br />She recently won an honorary lifetime membership to the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), alongside fellow cricketers Zaheer Khan and Virender Sehwag, becoming the first woman cricketer to do so. “It was humbling to receive the honour. I hope that this will inspire young women in the sport to dream big and bring laurels to the country,” says Anjum. The star cricketer won the Arjuna award in 2007 and was conferred with the Padma Shri award in 2014. <br /><br />An inspiration<br /><br />Whether she is on the field or off it, it is hard to ignore Anjum’s charismatic personality and her ability to guide the team no matter what her role is. The fearless all-rounder has batted at almost every position for her team and even opened when the situation demanded it. <br /><br />Anjum was made the vice-captain of the Indian cricket team in 2000 and the captain two years later. In her first series as skipper, she led a team with seven newcomers to a sweeping victory over England. <br /><br />During the team’s first tour of South Africa, Anjum scored a match-winning 80 and paved the way for their first overseas test win. Using part-time bowlers, she got the team 20 South African wickets at Paarl. It is no wonder then that Anjum is known to be one of the most successful women cricketers. <br /><br />What advice does she have for the young ones? “Challenges will come your way every day. It is important to kit up and play the game no matter what. Furthermore, work towards your goal with passion in all honesty,” she says.<br /><br />Staying in touch<br /><br />Anjum has worn many hats such as consultant, motivational speaker and author since her retirement. She is also a commentator and subject expert with Doordarshan and other leading news and sports channels, which she believes helps her stay in touch with the game. <br /><br />Anjum also takes up assignments as a cricket analyst and has conducted training programmes for many globally recognised brands. When she gets some time off from her busy schedule, she loves spending time at her home in Delhi with family and friends.<br /><br />A woman of few words, Anjum is straight-forward woman who, with her focus, determination and grit, has set great standards for the women cricketers of the upcoming generations. <br /></p>
<p>For a woman to represent the country in a sport that is considered a religion, at a time when it is discouragingly male-dominated, and come out with flying colours is no mean feat. Yet Anjum Chopra, former captain of Indian women’s cricket team, did it. <br /><br /></p>.<p>The left-handed batswoman debuted with the national team at 17 and went on to play 12 test, 127 one-day international and 18 T20 matches over a career spanning 17 years. She was the first female player to represent the country in over 100 ODIs.<br /> <br />Anjum has been at the forefront of some of India’s most memorable victories, including that in the test series against South Africa in 2002. Since then, she has played at four ODI, two test and two T20 World Cup tournaments. After her retirement in 2012, Anjum was appointed as the technical consultant to the South Africa women’s cricket team, which recently qualified for the 2017 World Cup. She has also co-authored a book on the history of women’s cricket, titled Women’s Cricket World – A Journey from 1745- 2013.<br /><br />Wearing the blue jersey and representing India on the international platform was a dream come true, says the former skipper who interacted with Deccan Herald in an telephonic interview. <br /><br />Early years<br /><br />Born into a family of sportspersons, Anjum engaged in athletic events, basketball and swimming in her early years. Her father Krishan Bal Chopra is a golfer and her mother once won a car rally. “My uncle used to play cricket for the Delhi and Haryana teams, while my brother was in the Delhi Under-19 team,” she shares.<br /><br />At the age of nine, she played her first cricket match and was drawn to the game instantly. Over the next few years, her skills improved immensely and she found her way into the New Delhi under−15 team. Naturally, she became part of her school, college and Air India (where she later found a job) cricket teams in Delhi. <br /><br />Despite her mission to become a sportsperson, she never lost sight of her academic goals. Soon after her graduation from St Stephen’s College, Delhi University, Anjum went on to do her MBA in Marketing and Human Resources.<br /><br />More feathers in her cap<br /><br />Speaking about her book, Anjum says, “It all began when I wanted to document the history of women's cricket. It was a lovely experience, as I got to speak to sportspersons of different nationalities and learn about their lives and struggles.” <br /><br />She recently won an honorary lifetime membership to the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), alongside fellow cricketers Zaheer Khan and Virender Sehwag, becoming the first woman cricketer to do so. “It was humbling to receive the honour. I hope that this will inspire young women in the sport to dream big and bring laurels to the country,” says Anjum. The star cricketer won the Arjuna award in 2007 and was conferred with the Padma Shri award in 2014. <br /><br />An inspiration<br /><br />Whether she is on the field or off it, it is hard to ignore Anjum’s charismatic personality and her ability to guide the team no matter what her role is. The fearless all-rounder has batted at almost every position for her team and even opened when the situation demanded it. <br /><br />Anjum was made the vice-captain of the Indian cricket team in 2000 and the captain two years later. In her first series as skipper, she led a team with seven newcomers to a sweeping victory over England. <br /><br />During the team’s first tour of South Africa, Anjum scored a match-winning 80 and paved the way for their first overseas test win. Using part-time bowlers, she got the team 20 South African wickets at Paarl. It is no wonder then that Anjum is known to be one of the most successful women cricketers. <br /><br />What advice does she have for the young ones? “Challenges will come your way every day. It is important to kit up and play the game no matter what. Furthermore, work towards your goal with passion in all honesty,” she says.<br /><br />Staying in touch<br /><br />Anjum has worn many hats such as consultant, motivational speaker and author since her retirement. She is also a commentator and subject expert with Doordarshan and other leading news and sports channels, which she believes helps her stay in touch with the game. <br /><br />Anjum also takes up assignments as a cricket analyst and has conducted training programmes for many globally recognised brands. When she gets some time off from her busy schedule, she loves spending time at her home in Delhi with family and friends.<br /><br />A woman of few words, Anjum is straight-forward woman who, with her focus, determination and grit, has set great standards for the women cricketers of the upcoming generations. <br /></p>
