Step-by-step advice on pathways, clubs, competitions and coaching for getting into girls cricket and women’s cricket in Rajasthan.
Priya Punia, who made her debut for India in 2019, is from Churu in Rajasthan. Her father, who wanted to be a cricketer himself but didn’t make the cut, was keen to live his dream through his daughter. A bank clerk, he bought land on the outskirts of Jaipur and built a cricket pitch and nets for Priya. This was especially useful, he says, when some academies refused to let Priya in because she was a girl.
Today, Priya has repaid her father’s faith in her and is making a space for herself in the Indian team. After playing for Delhi for many years, she is now back to represent Rajasthan.
Her story is an inspiration for other young girls.
Unfortunately, in the last few years, there have been some administrative problems in Rajasthan. As a result, women’s cricket has suffered a bit, but there are also a few private initiatives that have been encouraging.
Here’s how girls can chart their path to join the Rajasthan state women’s cricket team.
Where to start
If you’re less than around 12, start by playing sport in school or with your friends. Any sport, it doesn’t matter! It’s important to just have some fun! You will also develop motor skills and fitness that you can use if you want to play competitive cricket later.
If you’re a gully cricket expert and want to take your game up a level, join a private academy.
You may also get coaching in your school. (See below.)
Selection for the Rajasthan state women’s team
Rajasthan has teams for Under-16, Under-19, Under-23 and senior women’s teams.
Selection is via open trials.
Open trials → Probables camp → State team
- Players are asked to assemble on a particular day (or days). Keep an eye out for an ad in the newspaper or on the Rajasthan Cricket Association website about trial dates and venues.
- Go to the venue on that day with the required documents and get registered.
- Selectors watch the players perform on the day, either in open nets or in matches and ‘probables’ are shortlisted.
- A camp is held for the probables. The final state team is selected from this group.
There are plans to have inter-district matches in the future.
School cricket for girls in Rajasthan
Some schools in Rajasthan do play girls cricket, and feature in tournaments conducted by the School Games Federation of India or by the CBSE board.
Some of these are:
- St Teresa, Jaipur
- Mayo College Girls School, Ajmer
- Maharani Gayatri Devi School, Jaipur
- Jaipuria Vidyalaya, Jaipur
College cricket for girls in Rajasthan
There is no official inter-university tournament conducted by the Rajasthan association. However, college students do take part in inter-varsity tournaments.
Kanoria PG Mahila Mahavidyalaya, Jaipur, encourages women’s cricket, and Tantia University Ganganagar has a team in inter-varsity games.
Notable academies for girls in Rajasthan & financial aid
- Rajasthan Royals run a programme for girls called Royal Sparks. Girls are selected via open trials.
- Jaipuria Cricket Academy launched the Kheloday Sports Academy for women at the Jaipuria Vidyalaya Ground, where they provide free coaching to girls.
- PS Sports Agency has some aid for girls.
- Surana Academy, Jaipur
If you have information on schools, colleges or academies that support girls cricket in Rajasthan, contact us and we’ll add it to this page!