Skip to content 
Search

Latest Stories

Labourer's daughter, 15, scores India cricket payday

Labourer's daughter, 15, scores India cricket payday

CRICKETER Sonam Yadav could not afford sports shoes when she was younger but now the 15-year-old is set to play in India's Women's Premier League and says the money will transform life for her family.

Sonam was the youngest player drafted for the inaugural edition of the Twenty20 tournament when she joined Mumbai Indians at auction and took home a cheque for $12,000 (£9,920).


News of her signing sparked celebrations in her village, where blackouts are a daily occurrence and piped water only a recent arrival.

Her contract is dwarfed by the standards of the men's Indian Premier League, but it is 100 times her father's monthly wage from shift work at a glass factory.

"It's very difficult to make ends meet with my father's salary. We have to face a lot of money problems," said Sonam, the youngest of six siblings.

"I have many dreams, I want to take my family out for dinner and give a big car to my father," the left-arm spinner said.

GettyImages 1247544926 Sonam Yadav bowls during a net practice at a ground in Firozabad in Uttar Pradesh (Photo by SAJJAD HUSSAIN/AFP via Getty Images)

Her family home on the outskirts of Firozabad, an hour's drive from the Taj Mahal, sits next to a fetid open sewage drain and battles occasional intrusions from rodents and stray dogs.

The ramshackle home has peeling plaster and constant power cuts, but it is lit up by a row of glittering gold trophies and mementoes won by the household's star bowler, who started playing cricket aged 10.

"We could not afford expensive cricket gear. She did not even have proper shoes and had to borrow a pair before going to trials for a tournament," said father Mukesh Kumar, 53.

"I started working double shifts and my son dropped out of school and took up a private job to support her dreams."

The WPL begins on Saturday and could transform women's cricket globally in the same way that the lucrative IPL did the men's game.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) auctioned off franchise rights for five inaugural teams in January for $572.5 million (£473m), while media rights for the first five seasons were sold for $116.7m (£96.5m).

The two deals made it the second most valuable women's sporting league after the WNBA basketball in the US, according to media reports.

"The WPL will change the face of women's cricket drastically," said Sonam's local coach Ravi Yadav, no relation to the young athlete.

"The BCCI has also introduced equal pay for men and women so it will also have a huge impact."

'She has a bright future ahead'

Ravi recalled the dedication that Sonam showed to her craft since the time she started playing cricket.

"Be it a Sunday or any other day, be it rain or shine, she never missed a practice session.

"She is very hard-working and disciplined. She has a bright future ahead."

Sonam's first brush with fame came when she travelled to South Africa in January to play in India's Under-19 World Cup-winning side. Her family rented a television to watch her in action.

She was given a hero's welcome on her return, with district officials lining up to congratulate her and fans waving Indian flags and setting off firecrackers.

"We felt very proud of her that day. Villagers used to look down upon us, but now they also take pride in her achievements," said her father.

Sonam, a big fan of the Indian men's team's left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja, hopes the WPL will be her stepping stone towards playing for India's senior women's side.

"I will get to learn a lot from playing alongside the seniors," said Sonam, who counts chocolate and ice cream among her other interests.

"All I want is to play for the India seniors team one day and give a good life to my family."

(AFP)

More For You

Priyanka Chopra

Priyanka Chopra says she wants strong roles not just ornamental characters

Getty Images

Priyanka Chopra says she is just getting started in Hollywood with 'Heads of State' on Prime Video

Quick highlights:

  • Priyanka Chopra Jonas says she’s just getting started in Hollywood.
  • Stars as a fierce MI6 agent alongside Idris Elba and John Cena.
  • Gets into serious action mode with explosions, helicopters, and hand-to-hand combat.
  • Says her journey is still evolving, with much more to explore in the West.

Priyanka Chopra Jonas may have ruled Bollywood for over two decades, but the global star believes she’s still “nascent” in her Hollywood journey, and that’s what makes it exciting.

The Quantico and Citadel actor stars in the new Amazon Prime Video film Heads of State, playing a sharp MI6 agent named Noel Bisset. Her character has a complicated history with British Prime Minister Sam Clarke (played by Idris Elba) and is tasked with protecting him and the newly elected US President Will Derringer (John Cena) when they're attacked before a major NATO conference.

Keep ReadingShow less
Arijit Singh

Arijit Singh becomes most followed musician on Spotify

Getty Images

Arijit Singh overtakes Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran to become most followed artist on Spotify

Quick highlights:

• Arijit Singh makes global music history with 151 million Spotify followers

• Surpasses Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran in follower count

Keep ReadingShow less
Manchester Police probes over 1,000 child sexual abuse suspects

Photo for representation. (iStock)

Getty Images/iStockphoto

Manchester Police probes over 1,000 child sexual abuse suspects

GREATER MANCHESTER POLICE is now investigating more than 1,000 child sexual abuse suspects, following years of public criticism and institutional failings in tackling child sexual exploitation.

A new report by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) has revealed the force has made “significant improvements” in dealing with group-based sexual abuse and related crimes.

Keep ReadingShow less
Diwali

This year’s Diwali event will still see Belgrave Road continue to host what is left of the festival. (Representational image)

Major changes announced for Leicester’s Diwali celebrations amid safety fears

LDRS

THIS year’s annual Diwali celebrations will be stripped back amid public safety fears. Leicester City Council has said there will be no fireworks or stage entertainment as part of major changes announced for the event.

Cossington Street Recreation Ground will also not be used for the festivities, the council has revealed. The green space previously was the location for the main stage and the Diwali Village with its food stalls, funfair rides, fashion and arts. The annual fire garden display was also based there, offering “a peaceful oasis amid the festive excitement”.

Keep ReadingShow less
Liam Gallagher

Liam Gallagher arrives for the special screening of Oasis documentary "Supersonic"

Getty Images

Liam Gallagher apologises for racial slur after backlash as Oasis reunion tour kicks off

Quick highlights:

  • Liam Gallagher issued an apology after using a racial slur in a now-deleted social media post.
  • The offensive post appeared just days before Oasis kicked off their reunion tour in Cardiff.
  • Fans criticised the singer on X, prompting him to clarify it was unintentional.
  • Oasis will perform over 40 shows globally, starting 5 July in Wales.

Liam Gallagher has apologised for using a racial slur in a post on X, as Oasis reunites for their first tour in 15 years. The singer shared a one-word reply on Monday that included a derogatory term aimed at East Asian people. Though he quickly deleted it, screenshots circulated online, sparking widespread criticism.

In a follow-up post on Tuesday, Gallagher wrote: “Sorry if I offended anyone with my tweet before it wasn’t intentional you know I love you all and I do not discriminate. Peace and love LG x.”

Keep ReadingShow less