Sajeevan and Sharada struggled to hold back their tears when their daughter Sajana informed them about her debut for Mumbai Indians in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) opener against Delhi Capitals on Friday.

Their anxious wait to see Sajana in action turned into a memorable occasion for the whole neighbourhood as she slammed a final-ball six to propel the defending champions to a thrilling four-wicket victory here.

Sajana’s act of ultimate cricketing fantasy that turned her into an overnight protagonist had its genesis in humble surroundings of Mananthavady, a village in Wayanad, Kerala.

Sajeevan, an autorickshaw driver in the village, and Sharada, panchayat councillor and accountant, had more daily worries, including loans, to address when Sajana began to take some interest in cricket.

In fact, their modest financial status prevented them from supporting Sajana’s dream to pursue cricket.

“Our income was not really that big enough to fund her sporting activities and travelling for tournaments,” Sajeevan said.

“But she was always passionate about cricket and used to play the game at the paddy field near our home with coconut petiole with her friends and relatives.

“One day she met Gautam Gambhir at the Krishnagiri stadium here, and got an autographed bat. Seeing that we realised her passion for the sport.

“Elsamma Baby, the Physical Education teacher in the local government school too told us to encourage her sporting ambitions,” he says.

The turning point came when Sajana, who has a degree in political science, was selected to play for her district in the Under-19 tournaments.

“I did not have funds to travel. When I was selected to play for my district, I started earning money, 150 Rs per day as daily allowance. That was big money for me. Then, it went to 150, 300 and 900,” said Sajana in a video uploaded on the MI website.

But that was just the first point of her heady trip. She soon was drafted into the state U-19 side, and was later appointed as the captain too.

In the subsequent decade, Sajana, 29, got selected for India A. The first sign of a wider recognition came when she entered the auction pool during the first WPL auction early last year.

She wasn’t successful but her perseverance paid off late last year when Mumbai Indians took her in their fold from the auction room for Rs 15 lakh.

That was the beginning of a journey she will cherish for a long time.

Written with PTI inputs