The spotlight shines brightly on Punam Raut

Accolades have been pouring in for Indian women cricketers for their superb show in the ICC Women’s World Cup where they finished runners-up. The Indian women’s team players caught the nation’s fancy and became stars with their dominant display in the televised games.

After decimating defending champions Australia in the semi-final and almost winning the final before buckling under pressure towards the end, they have attracted maximum media and fan attention. Their employers, BCCI, corporates and politicians are busy announcing rewards for Indian cricketing queens. 

Ten Railways’ players in the World Cup squad, including four in Mumbai, based Western Railways have either got promotions or are set to get it shortly. The Indian team was felicitated at the Indian Embassy in London after the final, and the BCCI also announced Rs 50-lakh reward for each player. The Cricket Board also congratulated the team in Mumbai on arrival, and the team got a warm reception from the Sports Ministry and the Prime Minister in New Delhi.

The girls flew to their respective destinations from New Delhi and each got a hero’s welcome at their homes. Respective state governments and state associations are also announcing rewards.

The Mumbai Cricket Association announced Rs 5 lakh reward and MCA-BKC membership to three state players Punam Raut (Mumbai), Smriti Mandhana (Sangli) and Mona Meshram (Nagpur) who represented India in Women’s ICC World Cup. The MCA is set to felicitate these players on August 13.

Mumbai girl Raut, who played a crucial role in India’s remarkable campaign with 381 runs, second best to skipper Mithali Raj (409) has been coming to terms with the attention like the other girls. MCA, Honorary Secretary P.V. Shetty has seen Raut grow from close quarters and he felt the Borivali girl deserves all the accolades. 

“She lives in Borivali and has played for my club (Payyade Sports Club). She has worked hard to reach here, despite the struggles,” Shetty revealed.

The daughter of Ganesh Raut, a car driver with a private firm, Raut has battled the odds to create a niche for herself in the Indian team. From a chawl in Prabhadevi which was demolished when she was a child to picking up the bat even as her father struggled to get her a proper kit, she has come a long way. Her coach, Sanjay Gaitonde, once took her for the U-14 boys MCA selection trials in a summer camp to check her credentials. She played and trained with the boys in the Payyade Sports Complex in Gorai which initiated her cricketing journey. She debuted for India in 2009 which brought her a job in the Railways.

Even after making it to the Indian team, she has been in and out of the side, but after her comeback in the quadrennial tournament in South Africa before the World Cup, she has emerged as a dependable anchor for the Indian Women’s team. She had an ordinary outing in the 2009 and 2013 edition of the World Cup, but she has made her third World Cup memorable. From obscurity to stardom the feeling hasn’t yet sunk in, yet.

“I expected a crowd, but not this large. This is way beyond my expectations, and it felt nice. The response has been incredible,” Raut said upon arrival in Mumbai. 

Raut, who made 86 in the opener against England and 106 against Australia in the league game, was carrying India through to their maiden Cup win in the final by dropping the anchor while chasing 229. She was cramping but pushed ahead before misreading Anya Shrubsole’s ball, which rapped on her pads and was given out. She took too many precious seconds to review it, although the umpire’s decision should have stood. 

After her dismissal, India needed just 28 runs further with six more wickets in hand, but they collapsed and fell nine runs short of the target.

“I gave my hundred percent in every game and focused on partnerships. We were going nicely in the final and took it to end. The game was in our hands, but unfortunately, we couldn’t finish it. We couldn’t sleep, but that’s how the game goes. Hopefully next time we finish it well,” she said. 

Raut used to live close to Indian cricketer Rohit Sharma’s residence in Borivali and as a kid trained with him, but the little genius standing at five feet two inches almost emulated the Little Master, Sachin Tendulkar in the World Cup final. 

The 27-year-old credited the team’s preparations for a good show in England and Wales. “We started preparations two years earlier. I worked on dot balls, rotating the strike and learnedhow to approach in power play. The conditions in England are different as the ball comes fast and swings as well. We went there early which was useful as it helped us to get suited to the conditions,” she said. The Indian women’s team had a long training session at MCA’s Bandra Kurla Complex facility before their departure for the World Cup.