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By Geneive D’Souza | Opening Doorz Editorial | April 25, 2024 Young, talented cricketer Ira Jadhav will be participating in the National Cricket Academy (NCA) camp from April 28 to May 23. The […]
By Geneive D’Souza | Opening Doorz Editorial | April 25, 2024
Young, talented cricketer Ira Jadhav will be participating in the National Cricket Academy (NCA) camp from April 28 to May 23. The camp is being held at Anantapur, Hyderabad, and Ira will be undergoing advanced training (physical, mental, and cricketing skills) along with the other players.
“It’s a national level camp which is organized for special players who have performed well in the domestic season. All players (Boys and Girls) who have participated in their respective age groups get an opportunity to participate in advanced training for cricket skills and games for a month,” reveals Sachin Jadhav, Ira’s father.
Ira’s performance this season has been nothing short of phenomenal: Apart from other tournaments, her performance in the recently concluded U15-Girls domestic season has been the highlight. She scored 383 runs at an average of 95.75 scoring three half-centuries in seven matches.
Opening Doorz spoke with a few people who have seen the 14-year-old hit the high notes with her all-round cricketing expertise.
Ira Jadhav is a very talented girl, and a skilled player with fitness as her key. She has played with boys in matches and has also practiced with them in the nets. I have observed that she was not afraid to face them. She stands tall.
She wants to play for India, so her parents took her to Mumbai. She has grabbed the opportunity with both hands. She will definitely play for India and the WPL. The sacrifice her parents have made is the key factor; their support has been evident.
Ira Jadhav exemplifies the epitome of balanced excellence at our school. Her dedication and discipline are evident not only in her academic pursuits but also on the cricket field. Despite the demanding schedules of both realms, Ira consistently maintains a high level of performance.
In academics, Ira has consistently displayed a thirst for knowledge and a commitment to learning. Her grades are proof of her hard work and diligence, often achieving top scores while actively participating in extracurricular activities.
On the cricket pitch, Ira shines. Her passion for the sport is palpable, and she has honed her skills through persistent practice and a competitive spirit. Whether it’s batting, bowling, or fielding, Ira’s contributions to the school’s cricket team have been invaluable.
She manages her time effectively, prioritizing tasks without compromising on either front. This balance not only speaks volumes about her organizational skills but also her maturity beyond her years. I truly believe that Ira is a role model for her peers. We are proud to have her as a student and athlete at our school.
Ira Jadhav is a star in Girls Mumbai Schools Cricket (MSSA). I’m not surprised that she has been selected to be part of the National Cricket Academy (NCA) camp.
I feel that the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) should take care of her and adopt her. If possible, she should be selected to play in senior tournaments and be given chances to practice at the BCCI top-level cricket. I have seen very few women cricketers performing so well, consistently, at this age. She is a star.
Ira Jadhav is one of the most talented cricketers I have seen. She is determined, hardworking, and has tremendous self-belief. It is impressive to see how she has evolved as a player.
Ira has all the credentials, especially the consistency to become the best. Even at young age her talent and determination are evident. She has a wide range of shots and her cover drive is pleasing to watch. From a young age, she has played cricket with the boys, and that has helped her tremendously.
When she coached under me in Pune, we planned her sessions and made sure that she was ready to play in every condition. She has played many matches, which in turn has helped improve her game. Every day, during that time, we looked for positives to add to her game. Her parents have played a huge role in supporting her talent.
Ira trained hard—she never skipped any sessions, and that is a quality to admire about her. The target when she coached under me was to play 1000-2000 balls every day.
I have been associated with Ira with the Shardashram Vidyamandir English Medium school team. The maturity she shows as the captain of the team makes life easy for me as the Coach, and has helped us to win all three school tournaments. She scored a brilliant century on her 14th birthday in the MSSA finals, which shows her temperament and that she is a big match player.
While playing for Glorious Cricket Club, she was the highest run-getter in the MCA Women’s league with two unbeaten centuries which shows that she is ready to play at a senior level at such a young age. Ira reminds me of Sachin Tendulkar, who played the Ranji trophy at the age of 14 and went on to play for India at 16. I am pretty sure she can achieve it.
In 2021, I first noticed Ira Jadhav’s innate talent for athletics when she arrived at the stadium with her father. Watching her effortlessly complete a 400m lap with the grace of a natural athlete and noting her impressive physique for her age, I was immediately drawn to her unique running style. Intrigued by her potential, I approached her father and convinced him to allow her to join Athletics. From that moment on, there was no turning back.
Joining our Racing Fitness Club, Ira displayed remarkable dedication and quick learning abilities. Despite her young age, she absorbed every word of instruction and flawlessly executed every exercise assigned to her. Her professionalism and commitment to training were evident from the start.
Within just a year, Ira ventured into the throw events, where her God-gifted talent truly shone. Participating in her first District Competition, she emerged victorious, claiming her maiden medal. Since then, she has dominated the Kids Javelin Throw circuit, establishing herself as a consistent champion. Her prowess in her event has already earned her the title of National champion, cementing her status as one of the country’s most promising young athletes.
Also Read: Ira Jadhav: We should always play for our team, not for ourselves
Also Read: Sachin Tendulkar, Sunil Warrier, the B & W photograph
