Sehwag’s Lady Clone

Often referred to as the ‘Virender Sehwag of women’s cricket’, Jaya Sharma has made a mark on the women’s cricket circuit with her attacking batting style and agile fielding. She made her ODI debut back in 2002, against the English team and has not looked back since. She has 64 ODI caps and is one of the most experienced players in the Indian side. Priya Ganoo gives us an insight into one of India’s most exciting women cricketers.

Jaya is a natural opener and relishes fast bowling although she is equally adept against the spinners. She often goes over the top of the inner circle but also has a solid defense. One of her favourite fielding positions is ‘point’. This can mainly be attributed to the fact that she grew up watching her idol Jonty Rhodes and wanted to do all that he could on the field! Sharma has been in and out of the side owing to irregularity and inconsistency but she believes that she has it in her to cement her place in the Test side as well. Her first half-century - out of 13 - came against Ireland at Dublin in what was her seventh ODI. Sharma had an outstanding season in 2003-04 where she averaged 59.11 against Sri Lanka and the West Indies at home, scoring six half-centuries in 10 games.

Jaya’s best knock till date has been the unbeaten 138 which came against Pakistan at an impressive strike-rate of 92. However, a wretched run of form at the World Cup in South Africa in 2005 was turned around when she came back to the subcontinent and played England at home and then Pakistan and Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup in Pakistan. After a trip to New Zealand capitulated yet more disappointing performances, Sharma missed the tour to England and the next Asia Cup hosted by India in 2006. She got her chance to make a comeback in the Quadrangular tournament in Chennai where she averaged a healthy 52.33 against the bowling attacks of Australia, New Zealand and England.

With the BCCI taking over the reigns of women’s cricket, Jaya firmly believes that it will encourage more girls to take up the sport as the facilities have never been better. Also since the infrastructure has improved, she feels that all that the girls have to do now is work hard since there are more opportunities to represent the country.

Being a very out-going person, Sharma loves to enjoy life. She likes watching movies and going out with friends when she is not on the field. A great lover of the ‘wild outdoors’, Sharma often spends time exploring the world around her. Looking ahead to her future, Sharma will be keen to form an integral part of India’s World Cup campaign in 2009. After falling at the last hurdle in the previous edition of the esteemed tournament, the Indian women will attempt to bring home the Cup from Australia this time around. To achieve this they will need the expertise of the explosive Jaya Sharma, who will only be too willing to help. Kudos, Jaya!