Kolhapur all-rounder Anuja Patil, the daughter of rickshaw driver, dreams big

India 'A' skipper Anuja Patil bowls during a practice session at the MCA's BKC ground yesterday. Pic/Prakash Parsekar

As the world prepares to celebrate International Women's Day on Thursday, Kolhapur-based cricketer Anuja Patil could be the perfect curtain-raiser. Anuja, who represented India in 27 T20Is, was recently announced skipper of India 'A' which will face the Australian women's team in two warm-up games beginning today at MCA's BKC ground.

Responsibility is not new to Anuja. She shouldered it en route her cricketing journey by lessening the load for her parents who made great sacrifices for her to emerge as a quality cricketer in Kolhapur. She is the only child of Arun and Shobha, and the breadwinner of the middle-class Patil family. "I really enjoy shouldering responsibilities, be it on the field or at home. I know the sacrifices my parents had to make to give me the kind of facilities I enjoy today. It is my duty to give something back to them," Anuja, 25, told mid-day yesterday.

Anuja Patil (left) with mother Shobha and father Arun

On a home run
Once cricket helped to be somewhat self sufficient, she stopped her dad from driving his auto rickshaw. "My dad wanted to continue driving, but I convinced him to stop last year," Anuja added. She now has plans to buy a house for her parents. "I had decided to gift my parents a car and a home. Last year, I gifted them a car, but I will buy a house for them soon," she added.

Coming from a family of cricketers - Arun, an off-spinner, who used to open the batting for Shahu Sports Club and uncle Mahadev, an all-rounder, who represented Fighters CC - helped Anuja understand the game better.

"I used to watch their matches at Shivaji University and Shastri Nagar ground [in Kolhapur]. Sometimes, I bunked classes to watch those matches. Whatever I am is because of my dad and uncle. I learnt this game by watching them play. Even now, I try to copy their sweep shots and square cuts," said Anuja, the first cricketer from Kolhapur to make it to Team India.

Arun, a proud father
Indeed, Arun is a proud father. "My daughter has fulfilled my dreams. When I used to play cricket, I wanted to represent Maharashtra and India, but that did not happen. Today, I enjoy watching Anuja play for India. She was the one who forced me to stop driving the auto which I drove for 10 years," said Arun, 58.

Indian women's team coach, Tushar Arothe said: "Anuja has been leading Maharashtra. She has also performed well in South Africa during the T20 series recently, so the selectors decided to hand her the India 'A' captaincy. I am happy that she is also shouldering responsibility at home."

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