Opening Doorz

By Martin D’Souza | Opening Doorz Editorial | February 28, 2024

Ira Jadhav does a Virat Kohli

In the two years that she has been in Mumbai (relocating from Pune) Ira Jadhav has become a name to reckon with on the school cricket circuit. On February 19, 2024, the day she completed 14 years of age, she did what Virat Kohli did on his 35th birthday… scored a century.

On her 14th birthday, Ira Jadhav, representing Shardashram Vidyamandir English Medium, scored 106 off 59 balls against Parag English School in the Manoramabai Apte Girls U16 T20 final at the CCI. It was a comprehensive 67-run win for Shardashram. Her knock included 13 boundaries and one that sailed over the ropes.

Batting done, she then returned to open the bowling, scalping one wicket in her three overs giving away 15 runs. If that was not enough, she then kept wickets for the remainder of the match!

Ira Jadhav: A batting all-rounder

Speaking with her after the match, I asked her what her role in the team was. Smiling shyly, she said: “I am a batting all-rounder. I bowl pace. There is no wicket-keeper in our school team that is why I was there!” And do you enjoy wicket-keeping? “It is a new experience. You can try everything in school cricket. You just have to basically take a lot of experience, and learn new things. You can unlock your potential over here.”

How does she feel about being recognized on the Mumbai cricket circuit in such a short time? “It’s a nice feeling, you know. I should be grounded and continue doing the same thing. At the end of the day it is a team sport, team effort, and a team win,” she replies.

Opening Doorz catches up with the young cricketer, who is passionate about the sport and has found support in her school, and teachers who allow her to miss classes to pursue her passion.

Excerpts:

Who inspired you to take up cricket as a sport?

No one. I just had a passion for cricket. There was a Cricket Academy behind my Society in Pune, where I come from. My dad took admission to the Academy for me, and from then on my cricketing journey began. I was eight years old when my cricketing journey began.

What does cricket mean to you personally?

Cricket is like my life. I play cricket for happiness. It is my passion. I love cricket.

Can you share a memorable moment or match that solidified your passion for cricket?

It was the time I scored my first century (163) in a mixed team. This was in Pune a few years ago and the teams had a mix of boys and girls. That gave me the confidence that I could do well. 

How do you manage to balance your academics with your cricketing commitments?

Well, Shardashram is a very supportive school and they help me a lot. I mostly study when the exams are around the corner [smiles]. My mom and my friends also help me.

Who are your cricketing idols, and what aspects of their game do you admire the most?

There is one player who I think is my cricketing idol—Jemimah Rodrigues. I love the way she handles her teammates, the energy she gets into the team, her game, and her energy on the field.

What specific skills or techniques do you focus on during your training sessions?

I mostly try to keep it simple. I try to middle all the balls. I imagine the field and I try to hit the balls in the gap. I work on the shots that I am weak at.

How do you mentally prepare yourself before a crucial match?

I keep it simple as I express and enjoy myself on the field rather than thinking about how to play. I just watch the ball and play accordingly. If my team is chasing, I just keep the target in my mind and the calculations, like how many runs per over we need, etc. But while playing the ball I am blank: I’m just looking at the ball.

What are your long-term goals and aspirations in cricket?

I am aiming for the National team. I also want to represent India at the World Cup.

How does it feel to be recognized as a prolific scorer and team performer at such a young age?

At the end of the day, it is a team sport, a team effort, and a team win.

Can you walk us through your mindset when you scored that remarkable 106 off 59 balls in the recent T20 match at the CCI?

In my mind, I just wanted to put a big score for the team on the board. As I said before, I try to be thoughtless.

How important is teamwork and camaraderie within your cricketing squad?

It is a team sport. And for the team to win, we need team bonding. Running between the wickets improves if there is understanding between the players. We should always play for our team and not for ourselves. If there is teamwork and camaraderie the team follows the path of victory.

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