Anjum Chopra, one of India's most elegant batswomen, tells us her story

Friday, March 14, 2008

'Lady Elegance' shares her story

Anjum Chopra has served women’s cricket for over a decade and is one of the most senior members of the Indian Women’s cricket team. Our reporter caught up with Anjum at a domestic women’s cricket tournament in Andhra Pradesh where she spoke to us about the highlights of her career...

What was it like when you were first called to the Indian side? It must have been a great moment. Do you remember that moment?

I still remember that day, that moment when the team was announced. The place I was standing, the people around me. I think it was an amazing feeling. It was not an amazing feeling before that though. It was a tough moment because I was like a kid there, competing with big names and faces – people vying for the Indian spot. But when it did come, it was a very sweet moment which I always will cherish.

You remember your debut game and were you extremely nervous?

Oh, of course I was and I remember my debut game. From the moment we started to the moment we finished and the first one-day international we ended up winning. We beat New Zealand in New Zealand. In fact we went on to win that series. It was the first time an Indian team won a triangular series. Scoring those crucial four not out and bowling that opening spell. It’s been a very nice journey from there on.

Was that your most memorable match?

Till now, that has been the most memorable match. Scoring those four not out runs and coming in at number ten. For my state it used to be number three or number four or even higher up the order. But, going at number ten for India was a big change. But at the end of it that really helped me. I had my vice-captain at the other end and she told me to just hang in there and do the rest. So we managed to score four runs and get the team to victory.

Coming to memorable matches, your ODI century against England in 1999 must have been another memorable game.

Certainly, it was. I remember my century at England and I remember the way we played about it as well. I think we were just about 70-80 runs in the first 20-25 overs and we finished with 213 runs on the board. Scoring a century while touring England was special. People always say getting runs in England is difficult. When I came back, I got to know more about England and scoring in England. I got quite a lot of recognition for it. Again, a very nice feeling to score runs and end up on the winning side.

The 2005 World Cup was another brilliant phase in your career. You were batting really well and you helped India to get to the finals. What was that tournament like for you?

Another cherished moment, one which I will always remember until God gives me an opportunity to change it or better it. It is the World Cup semi-final victory when we beat New Zealand in South Africa. We were in the finals and the entire team came together and we did not know where to go and celebrate because we were just so happy with each other. That moment will be one of the best although we did not win it and make it to the top.

In 2006 you scored a fabulous 98, were you disappointed to miss out on that century?

Till date, I am. I know people who get out in the nineties and I can completely relate to them. How terrible it feels. I felt worse because I batted for six hours. I just fell short by two runs and I still do not know whether I was really out or not. But the score-board still read 98.

A lot of women in the country and aspiring women cricketers look up to you as an idol, what’s your message to them?
I have always believed you must always follow your passion and must always decide on what you want to do. Be it cricket or any other sport without thinking about what is the future in the sport and the best thing I can get out of it. Whatever the person gives to the sport, the sport gives back to the sportsperson and how much ever you invest into the sport, the sport will give it back to you. To your own conscience, also, you will feel happy that I played the sport to my best.
You must play the sport because of your love for it. Awards and all such things follow. You have to give your best to get the better of the other.

-As told to Mamta Joseph