When India lifted its first-ever Women’s World Cup trophy, the cheers from DY Patil Stadium echoed all the way to a small home in Kandivli — where a young girl once bowled with rubber balls to her brothers on dusty lanes. That girl is Radha Yadav, the 25-year-old left-arm spinner who has now become a symbol of grit, resilience, and unbreakable dreams.
Born to a modest family in Mumbai, Radha’s story is not one of privilege — it’s one of pure determination. Her elder brothers, Monu and Deepak, recall those early days when Radha would sneak into their games. “She played with all the boys, and even then, she was better than us,” Monu smiles. “We always believed our chhori was made for greater things.”
Breaking Barriers, One Ball at a Time
Radha’s cricketing journey began in the narrow bylanes of Kandivli and soon took her to Baroda, where she honed her skills under professional coaching. Over the years, she has represented India in 14 ODIs and 89 T20Is, taking over 100 wickets — a testament to her consistency and fearless bowling.
In this year’s Women’s World Cup, Radha turned out to be India’s secret weapon. Her crucial spell of 3/30 against Bangladesh and the prized wicket of Australian legend Ellyse Perry in the semi-final became turning points in India’s title-winning campaign. Her electric fielding and calm under pressure made her the team’s anchor during tense moments.
“Mhaari Chhoriya Chhoron Se Kam Hai Ke?”
For the Yadav family, Radha’s triumph echoes the iconic line from Dangal: “Mhaari chhoriya chhoron se kam hai ke?” Her father, Omprakash, who worked tirelessly to support her training, watched in tears as his youngest daughter brought glory to the nation. “She never lost focus, never complained. Even when things got tough, Radha only worked harder,” says Monu.
A Role Model for the Next Generation
Radha’s journey from Mumbai’s chawls to the world stage is now inspiring thousands of young girls across India to pick up the bat and ball. Her story isn’t just about cricket — it’s about breaking social boundaries, defying stereotypes, and proving that dreams have no gender.
As fireworks lit up the sky at DY Patil Stadium and tricolour flags waved across the stands, one thing became clear — Radha Yadav’s name will forever be etched in India’s sporting history.
