In our village, the idea of girls playing cricket was considered laughable. Since childhood, I often heard, ‘A girl’s job is to manage the house, not play games.’ But deep inside, I felt a fire to do something different. I wanted to play cricket, no matter what the world said.
When Pachi expressed her desire to play cricket, her father dismissed the idea, questioning what people would say, while her mother urged her to focus on household chores. But Prachi couldn’t ignore her dream. She shared her wish with her friends, and together they vowed to play cricket, no matter the challenges. Without a field, bat, or ball, their journey seemed impossible.
Undeterred, the girls began collecting donations in their village. While some mocked their efforts, others supported them. After saving every rupee, they finally bought a bat and ball, a moment that felt like a victory. Their determination led them to learn about the Samaveshi Cup, a tournament on January 13-14th 2025. For travelling they approached the village head, who, moved by their story, lent them his vehicle.
In the semifinal, they faced a strong Joga team. Fear turned into determination, and with their best effort, they clinched victory, celebrating with tears of joy.
The final match brought a new challenge: playing under floodlights. Though nervous, they gave it their all, but the unfamiliar glare affected their performance, and they didnt win the first prize but they were the runner up team. Returning to their village, they feared criticism but were met with garlands and applause. The same people who doubted them now celebrated their achievements.
Though they didn’t win the cup, they won something greater—the respect and support of their community. Pachi’s journey inspired the girls of Salyakhedi to dream bigger, proving that determination and courage can break any barrier.