Name Hindi: जया शर्मा / Gender Woman
Jaya Sharma: A Living Legend of Women’s Cricket in India
Indian cricket boasts an array of successful sportswomen, and among these talented cricketers, Jaya Sharma unquestionably stands tall. The Indian left-handed batswoman is lauded for her power-packed performances on the field that led to memorable victories for her country.
Early Life and Career
Born in Delhi on 18th October 1980, Jaya Sharma was introduced to cricket at a young age. She developed a passion for the game very early in life. Her outstanding talent was quickly noticed by coaches, which eventually paved her way into professional cricket.
She made her international debut in a One-Day International (ODI) against England at Chennai in January 2002. With an instinctive ability to strike the ball effectively and score runs consistently, she soon became a crucial part of the Indian women’s team.
Cricketing Accomplishments
- In November 2006, during the Asia Cup held in Jaipur, Jaya scored an impressive century helping India clinch victory over Pakistan by 10 wickets.[/li]
- Testament to her skills and influence as a player is her remarkable performance against Sri Lanka at Sawai Mansingh Stadium where she smashed out an unbeaten 138 runs off just 196 deliveries, resulting in India’s win.[/li>
- In fact, her career-high score of 138* in ODIs remains etched in the record books till this date.[/li>
- Jaya represented India in three World Cups (in South Africa-2005, Australia-2009 & India-2013). Despite India not winning the title, she consistently performed and contributed significantly using her attacking style of batting.[/li>
Retirement and Post Retirement Career
Jaya Sharma announced her retirement from international cricket on 10th September 2011. With a career spanning over nine years, she had established herself as an indispensable part of the Indian Women’s Cricket Team. During her successful stint in international cricket, she scored a total of 2,091 runs in 77 ODIs at an average of 35.79.
Post-retirement, Jaya continued to contribute to the sport by coaching young budding cricketers at the well-regarded National Cricket Academy (NCA) based in Bangalore.
Legacy & Contribution to Women’s Cricket
Jaya Sharma is undoubtedly one of the finest contributors to women’s cricket in India. Her impactful performances instilled confidence among other female athletes in the country encouraging them towards sportsmanship and professionalism. She played an instrumental role chronologically transitioning women’s cricket in India and remains an inspiring figure for many aspiring cricketers worldwide.
