Asha signifies hope. On Monday in Sylhet, Asha Sobhana, 33, became the oldest Indian woman to make an international debut. India’s fourth T20I game of the five-match series against Bangladesh marked a watershed moment in a career defined by hope.
Asha was called up to the national squad after impressing in the WPL. It helped that India hasn’t had a notable leg-spinner in a while, since Poonam Yadav dropped out of favour.
However, it appeared like the weather might make her debut a damp squib. The rain eventually stopped, and she had the opportunity to bowl and celebrate two wickets.
Asha grabbed captain Nigar Sultana Joty’s prize wicket as India won by 56 runs, bringing the series score to 4-0. When Joty played for the turn, the leggie defeated her on the inside edge with a straighter one, trapping her completely in front.
Her second wicket was more traditional leg spin, as she turned away from the right-handed Shorna Akter and induced an edge that looped to the keeper.
Asha’s breakthrough came through the Women’s Premier League after working hard on the domestic circuit for more than two decades, beginning with being motivated by her brother and progressing to Kerala, Railways, and finally Puducherry. RCB scouts spotted her, wanted a leg-spinner on their squad, and took a chance.
After a decent debut season, she worked with former India spinner L Sivaramakrishnan, improved, and made headlines when she picked up a 5-for in front of a raucous Chinnaswamy crowd against UP Warriroz this year.
She was part of a strong spin-bowling unit that was vital to RCB’s legendary title win, playing key roles in the playoffs.
In an interview with the broadcaster after the match in Sylhet, Asha could scarcely contain her smile as the rest of her teammates stood nearby and cheered her on. “This was everything I had been waiting for in the last 12 to 15 years.
2012 was the year I discovered the possibilities of India. From there till 2024 has been a lengthy trip for me. Getting the India cap is like… (smiles) being grateful. You can tell that my teammates are cheering. “They are extremely supportive.”
During an interview with RCB during the IPL season, she stated, “In my life, so many people told me to stop playing cricket and all, but see there was hope for me and I always prayed to God that, ‘See I have worked so much… and I need to get something for it, I should reach somewhere…'” That was my goal. You should never give up hope, keep pushing yourself, and don’t listen to anyone who says you can’t do something.
Which explains her Instagram handle, ashathehopejoy. Her name is Asha, and her father’s name is Joy. because hope is what she lives by. “So not just me but whoever sees my profile should get inspired and they should have some hope and joy with them all along, that is my wish,” she wrote.
Indeed. Hope is a good thing, perhaps the best of things, and nothing good ever dies. When asked to deliver a message via broadcast, Asha grinned again and added, “Age is just a number, of course, never give up.”
