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An enthralling journey of becoming a cricketer | Shikha Pandey | TEDxNITW


I decided not to follow the beaten path

I decided not to follow the beaten path and so people thought I was crazy but I

and so people thought I was crazy but I

and so people thought I was crazy but I persisted because I was always taught

persisted because I was always taught

persisted because I was always taught things worth having in life never come

things worth having in life never come

things worth having in life never come easy

easy

easy good afternoon anyone today I feel proud

good afternoon anyone today I feel proud

good afternoon anyone today I feel proud and privileged to be standing here

and privileged to be standing here

and privileged to be standing here sharing with you my little story the

sharing with you my little story the

sharing with you my little story the story is of a five-year-old girl who

story is of a five-year-old girl who

story is of a five-year-old girl who wanted to become a cricketer pilot all

wanted to become a cricketer pilot all

wanted to become a cricketer pilot all at the same time it is a story of

at the same time it is a story of

at the same time it is a story of stubbornness inspiration Oh

stubbornness inspiration Oh

stubbornness inspiration Oh dashing I send it along with cricket

dashing I send it along with cricket

dashing I send it along with cricket like most of you at a very young age my

like most of you at a very young age my

like most of you at a very young age my first impressions of cricket involve my

first impressions of cricket involve my

first impressions of cricket involve my father who has played a pivotal truth in

father who has played a pivotal truth in

father who has played a pivotal truth in my development as a human being all

my development as a human being all

my development as a human being all together memories cricket memories I

together memories cricket memories I

together memories cricket memories I remember it goes to a dark night there

remember it goes to a dark night there

remember it goes to a dark night there was a partial town in our area and

was a partial town in our area and

was a partial town in our area and therefore was not able to watch again

therefore was not able to watch again

therefore was not able to watch again that was being televised like I was

that was being televised like I was

that was being televised like I was disheartened like techniques to you and

disheartened like techniques to you and

disheartened like techniques to you and I was preparing for an early night

I was preparing for an early night

I was preparing for an early night typing my father he came to my rescue

typing my father he came to my rescue

typing my father he came to my rescue and he moved our savior

and he moved our savior

and he moved our savior I considered myself at night with my

sister in my story so far my father has

sister in my story so far my father has been the guiding light he has been the

been the guiding light he has been the

been the guiding light he has been the one I pushed the limits he has been the

one I pushed the limits he has been the

one I pushed the limits he has been the reason why I pushed the limits even

reason why I pushed the limits even

reason why I pushed the limits even today he has been that he loved me who

today he has been that he loved me who

today he has been that he loved me who has inspired no matter what the

has inspired no matter what the

has inspired no matter what the situation is I’m sure a lot of you would

situation is I’m sure a lot of you would

situation is I’m sure a lot of you would be listening to Adam young he’s my

be listening to Adam young he’s my

be listening to Adam young he’s my favorite singer in his lines he says

favorite singer in his lines he says

favorite singer in his lines he says that all heroes do not wear capes and my

that all heroes do not wear capes and my

that all heroes do not wear capes and my father for me is Cape les hero now

father for me is Cape les hero now

father for me is Cape les hero now coming on to my background it’s a story

coming on to my background it’s a story

coming on to my background it’s a story about the path less taken I’m a native

about the path less taken I’m a native

about the path less taken I’m a native of John but I’m sure a lot of you would

of John but I’m sure a lot of you would

of John but I’m sure a lot of you would be knowing it’s a small room it’s small

be knowing it’s a small room it’s small

be knowing it’s a small room it’s small down near River NC it’s 45 minutes right

down near River NC it’s 45 minutes right

down near River NC it’s 45 minutes right from Marin see I’m a native of John poor

from Marin see I’m a native of John poor

from Marin see I’m a native of John poor I was born in Ramagundam I it’s a one

I was born in Ramagundam I it’s a one

I was born in Ramagundam I it’s a one hour drive from here again which is an

hour drive from here again which is an

hour drive from here again which is an Andhra Pradesh of course and I’m posted

Andhra Pradesh of course and I’m posted

Andhra Pradesh of course and I’m posted to New Delhi I’m an air force officer

to New Delhi I’m an air force officer

to New Delhi I’m an air force officer and we are settled in Goa so I can call

and we are settled in Goa so I can call

and we are settled in Goa so I can call myself a true Indian I belong to up

myself a true Indian I belong to up

myself a true Indian I belong to up north

north

north I was born in South I’m posted to up

I was born in South I’m posted to up

I was born in South I’m posted to up north again and side in West of India

north again and side in West of India

north again and side in West of India and probably I play in each nuke and

and probably I play in each nuke and

and probably I play in each nuke and corner of the country probably one of

corner of the country probably one of

corner of the country probably one of the reasons why I call my mother Emma

the reasons why I call my mother Emma

the reasons why I call my mother Emma and I call my father daddy I know I mean

and I call my father daddy I know I mean

and I call my father daddy I know I mean it’s funny that way people who come to

it’s funny that way people who come to

it’s funny that way people who come to our houses really do not understand the

our houses really do not understand the

our houses really do not understand the whole language that’s being spoken at

whole language that’s being spoken at

whole language that’s being spoken at home I grew up studying in kimchi with

home I grew up studying in kimchi with

home I grew up studying in kimchi with dahlias came three dollars if you know

dahlias came three dollars if you know

dahlias came three dollars if you know are the ones that I studied in were all

are the ones that I studied in were all

are the ones that I studied in were all in situated defense different setups my

in situated defense different setups my

in situated defense different setups my father he himself is a teacher he’s a

father he himself is a teacher he’s a

father he himself is a teacher he’s a retired teacher he used to teach Hindi

retired teacher he used to teach Hindi

retired teacher he used to teach Hindi in Kendriya Vidyalayas so he made sure

in Kendriya Vidyalayas so he made sure

in Kendriya Vidyalayas so he made sure that whatever I do I might spend 10

that whatever I do I might spend 10

that whatever I do I might spend 10 hours playing cricket or then-us doing

hours playing cricket or then-us doing

hours playing cricket or then-us doing something else of my interest but my

something else of my interest but my

something else of my interest but my studies should go on and this was

studies should go on and this was

studies should go on and this was something that inspired both of us like

something that inspired both of us like

something that inspired both of us like my I I said my sister she’s an engineer

my I I said my sister she’s an engineer

my I I said my sister she’s an engineer I’m also an engineer I’ve done my

I’m also an engineer I’ve done my

I’m also an engineer I’ve done my electrical electronics engineering so he

electrical electronics engineering so he

electrical electronics engineering so he was always he always believed that

was always he always believed that

was always he always believed that whatever you do in life education should

whatever you do in life education should

whatever you do in life education should come first and probably one of the

come first and probably one of the

come first and probably one of the reasons the the whole thought process

reasons the the whole thought process

reasons the the whole thought process was education the stay with me for my

was education the stay with me for my

was education the stay with me for my whole life something else might not so

whole life something else might not so

whole life something else might not so he made sure that if I’m heading on to

he made sure that if I’m heading on to

he made sure that if I’m heading on to my hobbies to spend time on my hobbies I

my hobbies to spend time on my hobbies I

my hobbies to spend time on my hobbies I first finished my homework and only then

first finished my homework and only then

first finished my homework and only then I was I allowed to go play with the

I was I allowed to go play with the

I was I allowed to go play with the other kids I did barely well in my tenth

other kids I did barely well in my tenth

other kids I did barely well in my tenth and I tell standard exams I have a CBSE

and I tell standard exams I have a CBSE

and I tell standard exams I have a CBSE student like I said I got okay ninety

student like I said I got okay ninety

student like I said I got okay ninety point four percent in my tenth standard

point four percent in my tenth standard

point four percent in my tenth standard and again a 90 percent I’m just rounding

and again a 90 percent I’m just rounding

and again a 90 percent I’m just rounding it off I was eighty nine point eight in

it off I was eighty nine point eight in

it off I was eighty nine point eight in my trailer standard assigns a student I

my trailer standard assigns a student I

my trailer standard assigns a student I did fairly well and so obviously

did fairly well and so obviously

did fairly well and so obviously engineering was my choice because

engineering was my choice because

engineering was my choice because mathematics and physics were my favorite

mathematics and physics were my favorite

mathematics and physics were my favorite subjects when I was in the school I did

subjects when I was in the school I did

subjects when I was in the school I did not remember any of it right now but

not remember any of it right now but

not remember any of it right now but they do they’ve all my favorites when I

they do they’ve all my favorites when I

they do they’ve all my favorites when I was studying in my school so it was not

was studying in my school so it was not

was studying in my school so it was not that difficult a choice for me to make I

that difficult a choice for me to make I

that difficult a choice for me to make I took up engineering I got admission in

took up engineering I got admission in

took up engineering I got admission in go Engineering College which is situated

go Engineering College which is situated

go Engineering College which is situated in go it’s a garment college like yours

in go it’s a garment college like yours

in go it’s a garment college like yours and it said that the cream of the whole

and it said that the cream of the whole

and it said that the cream of the whole of go off studies there

of go off studies there

of go off studies there I was still playing cricket I was

I was still playing cricket I was

I was still playing cricket I was playing cricket as a hobby imitating the

playing cricket as a hobby imitating the

playing cricket as a hobby imitating the post-match press conferences was one of

post-match press conferences was one of

post-match press conferences was one of my favorite pastimes yeah the boys

my favorite pastimes yeah the boys

my favorite pastimes yeah the boys played well and the girls played well as

played well and the girls played well as

played well and the girls played well as like I would say it and even if the boys

like I would say it and even if the boys

like I would say it and even if the boys have not played well they’ve still

have not played well they’ve still

have not played well they’ve still played well every question haven’t asked

played well every question haven’t asked

played well every question haven’t asked that sort I I vividly remember our

that sort I I vividly remember our

that sort I I vividly remember our memory of this was the year 98 it was

memory of this was the year 98 it was

memory of this was the year 98 it was such in Tendulkar was all around it was

such in Tendulkar was all around it was

such in Tendulkar was all around it was said that the Indian team was was

said that the Indian team was was

said that the Indian team was was playing with one and half players one

playing with one and half players one

playing with one and half players one was such in Tendulkar and the other half

was such in Tendulkar and the other half

was such in Tendulkar and the other half were the other ten players who were

were the other ten players who were

were the other ten players who were playing so it was 913 the night and as

playing so it was 913 the night and as

playing so it was 913 the night and as usual I was sleeping because I was

usual I was sleeping because I was

usual I was sleeping because I was already played and I was tired my father

already played and I was tired my father

already played and I was tired my father came up to me and he woke me up and he

came up to me and he woke me up and he

came up to me and he woke me up and he said watch this he literally made sure

said watch this he literally made sure

said watch this he literally made sure that I watch every minute of that

that I watch every minute of that

that I watch every minute of that innings because he thought not just

innings because he thought not just

innings because he thought not just cricket per se but he thought something

cricket per se but he thought something

cricket per se but he thought something something huge is happening and probably

something huge is happening and probably

something huge is happening and probably that was the day I got bitten by the

that was the day I got bitten by the

that was the day I got bitten by the cricket bug like I said I was playing

cricket bug like I said I was playing

cricket bug like I said I was playing cricket with the boys gali cricket was

cricket with the boys gali cricket was

cricket with the boys gali cricket was my favorite form of pastime

my favorite form of pastime

my favorite form of pastime I had a boy kid back then so one one

I had a boy kid back then so one one

I had a boy kid back then so one one memory that stands out for me is when

memory that stands out for me is when

memory that stands out for me is when the game would be finished there was a

the game would be finished there was a

the game would be finished there was a sense of utter disbelief and

sense of utter disbelief and

sense of utter disbelief and astonishment on the boys face when they

astonishment on the boys face when they

astonishment on the boys face when they would recognize me and they said oh

would recognize me and they said oh

would recognize me and they said oh you’re a girl was playing alongside me

you’re a girl was playing alongside me

you’re a girl was playing alongside me actually he can’t be killed here

actually he can’t be killed here

actually he can’t be killed here so the utter disbelief that I could see

so the utter disbelief that I could see

so the utter disbelief that I could see on their faces was a sense of

on their faces was a sense of

on their faces was a sense of accomplishment for me

accomplishment for me

accomplishment for me at that time I started playing

at that time I started playing

at that time I started playing professionally or pretty late I would

professionally or pretty late I would

professionally or pretty late I would say by your standards I started playing

say by your standards I started playing

say by your standards I started playing only when I was 18 year old looking at

only when I was 18 year old looking at

only when I was 18 year old looking at the present scenario kids who cannot

the present scenario kids who cannot

the present scenario kids who cannot even lift their backs go for cricket

even lift their backs go for cricket

even lift their backs go for cricket training so for me it was delayed but

training so for me it was delayed but

training so for me it was delayed but then at that moment of time I never

then at that moment of time I never

then at that moment of time I never thought that 18 is a is late for me to

thought that 18 is a is late for me to

thought that 18 is a is late for me to start and I never came across someone

start and I never came across someone

start and I never came across someone who told that to me so I was blessed

who told that to me so I was blessed

who told that to me so I was blessed that way I’ve always believed that if I

that way I’ve always believed that if I

that way I’ve always believed that if I want to do something new in my life or

want to do something new in my life or

want to do something new in my life or probably pursue my dream it doesn’t

probably pursue my dream it doesn’t

probably pursue my dream it doesn’t matter if I am a 10 year old or

matter if I am a 10 year old or

matter if I am a 10 year old or I’m a 30-year old for me age is never

I’m a 30-year old for me age is never

I’m a 30-year old for me age is never about always remember I have remembered

about always remember I have remembered

about always remember I have remembered that hope cannot be crushed because

that hope cannot be crushed because

that hope cannot be crushed because believe it dream not be done tada

believe it dream not be done tada

believe it dream not be done tada again an Adam young align I’m a big fan

again an Adam young align I’m a big fan

again an Adam young align I’m a big fan office I had a great under-19 tournament

office I had a great under-19 tournament

office I had a great under-19 tournament that year I did pretty well I was being

that year I did pretty well I was being

that year I did pretty well I was being recognized and actually I mean I can say

recognized and actually I mean I can say

recognized and actually I mean I can say that I was starting to dream about

that I was starting to dream about

that I was starting to dream about playing for India after that under-19

playing for India after that under-19

playing for India after that under-19 tournament but as fate would have it I

tournament but as fate would have it I

tournament but as fate would have it I was giving my recruitments exams as I’m

was giving my recruitments exams as I’m

was giving my recruitments exams as I’m sure all of you guys also have your

sure all of you guys also have your

sure all of you guys also have your exams

exams

exams I mean recruitment rallies and

I mean recruitment rallies and

I mean recruitment rallies and everything so in my third year of

everything so in my third year of

everything so in my third year of engineering I got placed in three

engineering I got placed in three

engineering I got placed in three companies now okay I have to make a

companies now okay I have to make a

companies now okay I have to make a decision

decision

decision I got placing three multinational

I got placing three multinational

I got placing three multinational companies whether I take the job or

companies whether I take the job or

companies whether I take the job or should I go play cricket

should I go play cricket

should I go play cricket I took a year’s time to think yes 365

I took a year’s time to think yes 365

I took a year’s time to think yes 365 days to think and still I couldn’t find

days to think and still I couldn’t find

days to think and still I couldn’t find find a way through

find a way through

find a way through I don’t like paintings about it what do

I don’t like paintings about it what do

I don’t like paintings about it what do you think I should do to my surprise the

you think I should do to my surprise the

you think I should do to my surprise the watch so sports faces mine came up to me

watch so sports faces mine came up to me

watch so sports faces mine came up to me and said you must pursue your dreams

and said you must pursue your dreams

and said you must pursue your dreams she’s two years elder to me she was

she’s two years elder to me she was

she’s two years elder to me she was working for a multinational company she

working for a multinational company she

working for a multinational company she came up to me and said all of us want to

came up to me and said all of us want to

came up to me and said all of us want to take the easy way out Finnish

take the easy way out Finnish

take the easy way out Finnish engineering take up a good and they

engineering take up a good and they

engineering take up a good and they settle but if you have something in you

settle but if you have something in you

settle but if you have something in you and if you want to follow your dreams

and if you want to follow your dreams

and if you want to follow your dreams you should follow your dreams and coming

you should follow your dreams and coming

you should follow your dreams and coming from a middle class background it was

from a middle class background it was

from a middle class background it was very difficult a decision for them to

very difficult a decision for them to

very difficult a decision for them to make and I was at that time for the

make and I was at that time for the

make and I was at that time for the first time in my life I thought oh what

first time in my life I thought oh what

first time in my life I thought oh what a sister I’ve got so probably it was the

a sister I’ve got so probably it was the

a sister I’ve got so probably it was the support that I got from them also a

support that I got from them also a

support that I got from them also a point that has to be good here

point that has to be good here

point that has to be good here is engineering and cricket both together

is engineering and cricket both together

is engineering and cricket both together is a deadly combination believe me I

is a deadly combination believe me I

is a deadly combination believe me I might I might talk to you and try to

might I might talk to you and try to

might I might talk to you and try to inspire you but then it was it was very

inspire you but then it was it was very

inspire you but then it was it was very difficult juggling my my classes my

difficult juggling my my classes my

difficult juggling my my classes my projects my assignments and everything

projects my assignments and everything

projects my assignments and everything else not attending go social functions

else not attending go social functions

else not attending go social functions because I

because I

because I I used to be on the grounds so I was not

I used to be on the grounds so I was not

I used to be on the grounds so I was not very popular / and in the college back

very popular / and in the college back

very popular / and in the college back then but then the kind of support that I

then but then the kind of support that I

then but then the kind of support that I got from my lecturers at college I would

got from my lecturers at college I would

got from my lecturers at college I would go after we had a lunch break of one to

go after we had a lunch break of one to

go after we had a lunch break of one to two I would go to them during that lunch

two I would go to them during that lunch

two I would go to them during that lunch break to to ask them my doubts and they

break to to ask them my doubts and they

break to to ask them my doubts and they were so gracious they were always there

were so gracious they were always there

were so gracious they were always there for me my friends at college they were

for me my friends at college they were

for me my friends at college they were there for me whenever I needed them my

there for me whenever I needed them my

there for me whenever I needed them my teammates the tomb I was practicing my

teammates the tomb I was practicing my

teammates the tomb I was practicing my coaches and of course my family and my

coaches and of course my family and my

coaches and of course my family and my sister all of them were the reason why I

sister all of them were the reason why I

sister all of them were the reason why I was able to escape through those four

was able to escape through those four

was able to escape through those four years of engineering without any

years of engineering without any

years of engineering without any problems now you’ve been interesting to

problems now you’ve been interesting to

problems now you’ve been interesting to know that what was my deal my schedule

know that what was my deal my schedule

know that what was my deal my schedule was crazy I was to get up at 4 o clock

was crazy I was to get up at 4 o clock

was crazy I was to get up at 4 o clock in the morning for 4:30

in the morning for 4:30

in the morning for 4:30 go to the gym finish my dream come back

go to the gym finish my dream come back

go to the gym finish my dream come back then hurry on tooth call it I take my

then hurry on tooth call it I take my

then hurry on tooth call it I take my morning lectures back onto the field

morning lectures back onto the field

morning lectures back onto the field late evening next sessions reach back

late evening next sessions reach back

late evening next sessions reach back home at around 8:00 8:30 study finish my

home at around 8:00 8:30 study finish my

home at around 8:00 8:30 study finish my assignments till 12:30 in the night and

assignments till 12:30 in the night and

assignments till 12:30 in the night and believe me first person in the morning

believe me first person in the morning

believe me first person in the morning me though a bed tea was my father

me though a bed tea was my father

me though a bed tea was my father the thing with me till late in the night

the thing with me till late in the night

the thing with me till late in the night helping me and then in the morning again

helping me and then in the morning again

helping me and then in the morning again he was there in me again so this is the

he was there in me again so this is the

he was there in me again so this is the kind of support that I got from my

kind of support that I got from my

kind of support that I got from my parents and it’s probably become yo

just when the cricket dream was taking

just when the cricket dream was taking flight like I told you I decided not to

flight like I told you I decided not to

flight like I told you I decided not to take up the job the creative jobs that I

take up the job the creative jobs that I

take up the job the creative jobs that I could get and probably I also would have

could get and probably I also would have

could get and probably I also would have been cased in a multinational company

been cased in a multinational company

been cased in a multinational company but I decided to take a year off and to

but I decided to take a year off and to

but I decided to take a year off and to assess myself as to what where do I

assess myself as to what where do I

assess myself as to what where do I stand there I mean will I be able to

stand there I mean will I be able to

stand there I mean will I be able to break into the Indian team at that point

break into the Indian team at that point

break into the Indian team at that point or not I did pretty well there was an

or not I did pretty well there was an

or not I did pretty well there was an England team which had come I played in

England team which had come I played in

England team which had come I played in the India a team the next best 15 after

the India a team the next best 15 after

the India a team the next best 15 after the India team constitute the board

the India team constitute the board

the India team constitute the board presidents 11 or the in I played I

presidents 11 or the in I played I

presidents 11 or the in I played I represented India a against the touring

represented India a against the touring

represented India a against the touring England team in 2010 I played against

England team in 2010 I played against

England team in 2010 I played against West Indies and representing India in

West Indies and representing India in

West Indies and representing India in 2011 but to my horror and for my

2011 but to my horror and for my

2011 but to my horror and for my surprise I couldn’t make it to the side

surprise I couldn’t make it to the side

surprise I couldn’t make it to the side I was yes but and I told my father that

I was yes but and I told my father that

I was yes but and I told my father that what do you think I should be doing he

what do you think I should be doing he

what do you think I should be doing he said you will you’re destined to get

said you will you’re destined to get

said you will you’re destined to get what you work for so you do not need to

what you work for so you do not need to

what you work for so you do not need to need to care so much about it and

need to care so much about it and

need to care so much about it and there’s something else happened I

there’s something else happened I

there’s something else happened I started my speech with I have studied

started my speech with I have studied

started my speech with I have studied and came three with doraleous which were

and came three with doraleous which were

and came three with doraleous which were in defence set up so every day I would

in my in my school or probably when we

in my in my school or probably when we used to go to the school so I was always

used to go to the school so I was always

used to go to the school so I was always inspired to join the Indian Armed Forces

inspired to join the Indian Armed Forces

inspired to join the Indian Armed Forces and also I think this is the least that

and also I think this is the least that

and also I think this is the least that I could do for my country as fate would

I could do for my country as fate would

I could do for my country as fate would have it I wrote a F was Common Admission

have it I wrote a F was Common Admission

have it I wrote a F was Common Admission Test and which was followed by the

Test and which was followed by the

Test and which was followed by the services services selection board in

services services selection board in

services services selection board in 2011 and I cleared them both so there I

2011 and I cleared them both so there I

2011 and I cleared them both so there I was after a year of rigorous training in

was after a year of rigorous training in

was after a year of rigorous training in Indian Air Force Academy Hyderabad for a

Indian Air Force Academy Hyderabad for a

Indian Air Force Academy Hyderabad for a year and I passed out as an traffic

year and I passed out as an traffic

year and I passed out as an traffic officer we are the ones who control the

officer we are the ones who control the

officer we are the ones who control the aircraft on in the air so it’s the

aircraft on in the air so it’s the

aircraft on in the air so it’s the second hardest job by the way so just

second hardest job by the way so just

second hardest job by the way so just trying to attach it so I I got

trying to attach it so I I got

trying to attach it so I I got commissioned as an aide you in the end

commissioned as an aide you in the end

commissioned as an aide you in the end illustration badge and in the year 2012

illustration badge and in the year 2012

illustration badge and in the year 2012 38 June basically for this year and a

38 June basically for this year and a

38 June basically for this year and a half I couldn’t pursue it I’m the first

half I couldn’t pursue it I’m the first

half I couldn’t pursue it I’m the first lady officer from the Services Army Navy

so for the first one and a half years I

so for the first one and a half years I had to keep the Cricut dream of a and

had to keep the Cricut dream of a and

had to keep the Cricut dream of a and concentrate on my training but then as

concentrate on my training but then as

concentrate on my training but then as soon as I got my chances I took them

soon as I got my chances I took them

soon as I got my chances I took them from the support that I got from air for

from the support that I got from air for

from the support that I got from air for sports control board was tremendous they

sports control board was tremendous they

sports control board was tremendous they were always there for me

were always there for me

were always there for me I got enough Leafs from then and then I

I got enough Leafs from then and then I

I got enough Leafs from then and then I made the jump I got I played my first

made the jump I got I played my first

made the jump I got I played my first match I debuted for India in 2014 and

match I debuted for India in 2014 and

match I debuted for India in 2014 and the biggest tournament for me then was

the biggest tournament for me then was

the biggest tournament for me then was the t20 World Cup yes that also was a

the t20 World Cup yes that also was a

the t20 World Cup yes that also was a World Cup so this was the t20 World Cup

World Cup so this was the t20 World Cup

World Cup so this was the t20 World Cup in 2014 and it happened in Bangladesh I

in 2014 and it happened in Bangladesh I

in 2014 and it happened in Bangladesh I can never forget firstly I was presented

can never forget firstly I was presented

can never forget firstly I was presented with my cap you are always presented

with my cap you are always presented

with my cap you are always presented with your cap and you play your first

with your cap and you play your first

with your cap and you play your first game I was presented with the cap by

game I was presented with the cap by

game I was presented with the cap by Julian Goswami she was an idol of mine

Julian Goswami she was an idol of mine

Julian Goswami she was an idol of mine as I was growing up when she presented

as I was growing up when she presented

as I was growing up when she presented me with the gap I actually kind of went

me with the gap I actually kind of went

me with the gap I actually kind of went into a flashback thinking about myself

into a flashback thinking about myself

into a flashback thinking about myself as a five-year-old about my parents how

as a five-year-old about my parents how

as a five-year-old about my parents how happy would they be and else who has if

happy would they be and else who has if

happy would they be and else who has if it wasn’t for the lecturers friends that

it wasn’t for the lecturers friends that

it wasn’t for the lecturers friends that I had in the college and the Friends of

I had in the college and the Friends of

I had in the college and the Friends of my teammates I don’t think I would have

my teammates I don’t think I would have

my teammates I don’t think I would have reached there and I truly believe that

reached there and I truly believe that

reached there and I truly believe that the engineering degree that I got helped

the engineering degree that I got helped

the engineering degree that I got helped me a lot in terms of time management

me a lot in terms of time management

me a lot in terms of time management firstly secondly in terms of last night

firstly secondly in terms of last night

firstly secondly in terms of last night studies yeah also how to describe a one

studies yeah also how to describe a one

studies yeah also how to describe a one page worth answer for four pages

[Applause]

[Applause] so I was starved of the opportunity and

so I was starved of the opportunity and

so I was starved of the opportunity and mind you I still use my engineering

mind you I still use my engineering

mind you I still use my engineering knowledge when we devise plans for the

knowledge when we devise plans for the

knowledge when we devise plans for the opposite team and my teammate

opposite team and my teammate

opposite team and my teammate nothing is impossible I have found for

nothing is impossible I have found for

nothing is impossible I have found for when I find my chin on the ground I take

when I find my chin on the ground I take

when I find my chin on the ground I take a deep breath I pick myself up I dust my

a deep breath I pick myself up I dust my

a deep breath I pick myself up I dust my off and I start all over again it seems

off and I start all over again it seems

off and I start all over again it seems to be a simple movie but yes this is

to be a simple movie but yes this is

to be a simple movie but yes this is what my philosophy has been always after

what my philosophy has been always after

what my philosophy has been always after the pickup the next big tournament for

the pickup the next big tournament for

the pickup the next big tournament for me was a series which came up in England

me was a series which came up in England

me was a series which came up in England Test matches I mean how many of you

Test matches I mean how many of you

Test matches I mean how many of you watched as matches I’m sure all of you

watched as matches I’m sure all of you

watched as matches I’m sure all of you watching t20 cricket so I remember

watching t20 cricket so I remember

watching t20 cricket so I remember getting up at 4:30 watching the ashes

getting up at 4:30 watching the ashes

getting up at 4:30 watching the ashes watching India play Australia in

watching India play Australia in

watching India play Australia in Australia so here I was it was 13th

Australia so here I was it was 13th

Australia so here I was it was 13th August 2014 Indian team in England

August 2014 Indian team in England

August 2014 Indian team in England Wormsley Cricket Ground the perfect

Wormsley Cricket Ground the perfect

Wormsley Cricket Ground the perfect setup for the Test match Indian women’s

setup for the Test match Indian women’s

setup for the Test match Indian women’s test team 11 players 8 debutantes 8

test team 11 players 8 debutantes 8

test team 11 players 8 debutantes 8 people were playing Test match for the

people were playing Test match for the

people were playing Test match for the first time I included and guess what

first time I included and guess what

first time I included and guess what that was we won we won on the 4th day

and it was a greater glory for me

and it was a greater glory for me because I was not originally in the team

because I was not originally in the team

because I was not originally in the team of 15 that went to England I’ve been

of 15 that went to England I’ve been

of 15 that went to England I’ve been there as a replacement for an injured

there as a replacement for an injured

there as a replacement for an injured teammate I went there as a replacement

teammate I went there as a replacement

teammate I went there as a replacement in a match probably the first and by

in a match probably the first and by

in a match probably the first and by flies them to England I am there in the

flies them to England I am there in the

flies them to England I am there in the plane 11 and I hit the wing I hit the

plane 11 and I hit the wing I hit the

plane 11 and I hit the wing I hit the winning runs along with Natalia Dutch

winning runs along with Natalia Dutch

winning runs along with Natalia Dutch who was the captain then so here was a

who was the captain then so here was a

who was the captain then so here was a memory which was gift-wrapped and kept

memory which was gift-wrapped and kept

memory which was gift-wrapped and kept in my vault of happiness a lot of

in my vault of happiness a lot of

in my vault of happiness a lot of memories came along I am the first

memories came along I am the first

memories came along I am the first Indian women to take a 300 250 in our DI

Indian women to take a 300 250 in our DI

Indian women to take a 300 250 in our DI when they international for India we

when they international for India we

when they international for India we defeated Australia in Australia last

defeated Australia in Australia last

defeated Australia in Australia last year in January 2016 and the final in

year in January 2016 and the final in

year in January 2016 and the final in lots lots is one ground whose atmosphere

lots lots is one ground whose atmosphere

lots lots is one ground whose atmosphere no other cricket ground can ever equal

no other cricket ground can ever equal

no other cricket ground can ever equal the traditions involved the kind of

the traditions involved the kind of

the traditions involved the kind of warmth that feel when inter lots and the

warmth that feel when inter lots and the

warmth that feel when inter lots and the exhibitions the quantum of expectations

exhibitions the quantum of expectations

exhibitions the quantum of expectations and it can only get better when you’re

and it can only get better when you’re

and it can only get better when you’re playing the home team in their own

playing the home team in their own

playing the home team in their own courtyard you play England their World

courtyard you play England their World

courtyard you play England their World Cup has been an amazing experience for

Cup has been an amazing experience for

Cup has been an amazing experience for me the kind of camaraderie we together

me the kind of camaraderie we together

me the kind of camaraderie we together we we tried our best to be positive

we we tried our best to be positive

we we tried our best to be positive throughout the tournament we beat all

throughout the tournament we beat all

throughout the tournament we beat all the odds and long tournament we faced

the odds and long tournament we faced

the odds and long tournament we faced all the ups and ups and downs of the

all the ups and ups and downs of the

all the ups and ups and downs of the tournament and we are really proud of

tournament and we are really proud of

tournament and we are really proud of the way we played no matter what what

the way we played no matter what what

the way we played no matter what what the media is or anyone else’s we are

the media is or anyone else’s we are

the media is or anyone else’s we are really proud of us

really proud of us

really proud of us and the way we have performed it’s also

and the way we have performed it’s also

and the way we have performed it’s also one of the points that that comes into

one of the points that that comes into

one of the points that that comes into picture is we rallied together as

picture is we rallied together as

picture is we rallied together as soldiers so I would say that playing it

soldiers so I would say that playing it

soldiers so I would say that playing it for me and to become an a warrior is

for me and to become an a warrior is

for me and to become an a warrior is pretty much the same the values that I

pretty much the same the values that I

pretty much the same the values that I have imbibed as an heir

have imbibed as an heir

have imbibed as an heir the sense of the more devotion the sense

the sense of the more devotion the sense

the sense of the more devotion the sense of integrity and the sense of honor that

of integrity and the sense of honor that

of integrity and the sense of honor that I have imbibed as a cadet in the Air

I have imbibed as a cadet in the Air

I have imbibed as a cadet in the Air Force Academy and as an officer of the

Force Academy and as an officer of the

Force Academy and as an officer of the Indian Air Force are unparalleled I mean

Indian Air Force are unparalleled I mean

Indian Air Force are unparalleled I mean it’s just tremendous when I put on my

it’s just tremendous when I put on my

it’s just tremendous when I put on my Jersey I put on my uniform I’m one of

Jersey I put on my uniform I’m one of

Jersey I put on my uniform I’m one of those blessed few who get stood on the

those blessed few who get stood on the

those blessed few who get stood on the uniform as an a warrior for the Indian

uniform as an a warrior for the Indian

uniform as an a warrior for the Indian Air Force and who’s a proud owner of the

Air Force and who’s a proud owner of the

Air Force and who’s a proud owner of the blue jersey I get to represent my

blue jersey I get to represent my

blue jersey I get to represent my country at the international level at

country at the international level at

country at the international level at the World Cup and I’m sure a lot of you

the World Cup and I’m sure a lot of you

the World Cup and I’m sure a lot of you here who are sitting right now have it

here who are sitting right now have it

here who are sitting right now have it in you it’s for you to understand what

in you it’s for you to understand what

in you it’s for you to understand what your real calling is are you ready for

your real calling is are you ready for

your real calling is are you ready for the challenges that life is about to

the challenges that life is about to

the challenges that life is about to throw and talking about women’s cricket

throw and talking about women’s cricket

throw and talking about women’s cricket and women’s sport and India Viggo’s just

and women’s sport and India Viggo’s just

and women’s sport and India Viggo’s just rock it you know you name a sport beyond

rock it you know you name a sport beyond

rock it you know you name a sport beyond it you you talk about badminton you talk

it you you talk about badminton you talk

it you you talk about badminton you talk about wrestling you talk about tennis

about wrestling you talk about tennis

about wrestling you talk about tennis you talk about athletics you just name

you talk about athletics you just name

you talk about athletics you just name it we own it so so the ghosts right now

it we own it so so the ghosts right now

it we own it so so the ghosts right now are killing it I consider myself a

are killing it I consider myself a

are killing it I consider myself a little memory collector who is on her

little memory collector who is on her

little memory collector who is on her quest to collect as many memories as

quest to collect as many memories as

quest to collect as many memories as possible I consider myself as a radiator

possible I consider myself as a radiator

possible I consider myself as a radiator who’s trying to find sense and optimism

who’s trying to find sense and optimism

who’s trying to find sense and optimism in every little incident that is

in every little incident that is

in every little incident that is happening in my life I’m sure all of you

happening in my life I’m sure all of you

happening in my life I’m sure all of you who are here have their little stories

who are here have their little stories

who are here have their little stories to be told yet to be told and the story

to be told yet to be told and the story

to be told yet to be told and the story of yours might be full of struggles

of yours might be full of struggles

of yours might be full of struggles possible few setbacks but the ultimate

possible few setbacks but the ultimate

possible few setbacks but the ultimate success is what you will find when you

success is what you will find when you

success is what you will find when you finish this journey of yours for me the

finish this journey of yours for me the

finish this journey of yours for me the journey has just begun I would say that

journey has just begun I would say that

journey has just begun I would say that I’ve just started and you guys I’m sure

I’ve just started and you guys I’m sure

I’ve just started and you guys I’m sure you are very young so you’ve got a head

you are very young so you’ve got a head

you are very young so you’ve got a head start of probably eight to nine years so

start of probably eight to nine years so

start of probably eight to nine years so I’m sure that you guys will go ahead and

I’m sure that you guys will go ahead and

I’m sure that you guys will go ahead and again here comes my father my hero

again here comes my father my hero

again here comes my father my hero I have always followed his philosophy he

I have always followed his philosophy he

I have always followed his philosophy he says whatever you do do it to the best

says whatever you do do it to the best

says whatever you do do it to the best of your ability no matter

of your ability no matter

of your ability no matter how difficult the situation is if the

how difficult the situation is if the

how difficult the situation is if the odds are pitted against you just go out

odds are pitted against you just go out

odds are pitted against you just go out there and give it your best shot and I’m

there and give it your best shot and I’m

there and give it your best shot and I’m sure that you’ll find a way through and

sure that you’ll find a way through and

sure that you’ll find a way through and probably it’s one of the reasons why I

probably it’s one of the reasons why I

probably it’s one of the reasons why I have pushed myself every every time that

have pushed myself every every time that

have pushed myself every every time that I go onto the field every time I’m doing

I go onto the field every time I’m doing

I go onto the field every time I’m doing my work as an air force warrior and one

my work as an air force warrior and one

my work as an air force warrior and one of the reasons that I am standing here

of the reasons that I am standing here

of the reasons that I am standing here today in front of all of you I would

today in front of all of you I would

today in front of all of you I would finish again with a few lines from Adam

finish again with a few lines from Adam

finish again with a few lines from Adam young I’m not sure that I have inspired

young I’m not sure that I have inspired

young I’m not sure that I have inspired you but probably I’ve made you a huge

you but probably I’ve made you a huge

you but probably I’ve made you a huge fan of my father or Adam young there

fan of my father or Adam young there

fan of my father or Adam young there were days when each hour was a bore that

were days when each hour was a bore that

were days when each hour was a bore that I fought to survive there were nights

I fought to survive there were nights

I fought to survive there were nights full of nightmares and I dreaded closing

full of nightmares and I dreaded closing

full of nightmares and I dreaded closing my eyes but whatever happened yesterday

my eyes but whatever happened yesterday

my eyes but whatever happened yesterday or will happen or happens today tomorrow

or will happen or happens today tomorrow

or will happen or happens today tomorrow Sun will still be shining so don’t you

Sun will still be shining so don’t you

Sun will still be shining so don’t you body every mushroom cloud has a silver

body every mushroom cloud has a silver

body every mushroom cloud has a silver lining so whatever you do just don’t let

lining so whatever you do just don’t let

lining so whatever you do just don’t let the fire guy thank you

”

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