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The Unnao-born Archana Devi helped India create history on January 29 as they won the inaugural women’s T20 World Cup 2023 with a seven-wicket win over England. The crafty off-spinner, like many Indian cricketers had humble beginnings.
Archana belonged to a poor family in Ratai Purwa, a small village in Unnao, Uttar Pradesh. The young girl started playing cricketer on the banks of holy river Ganges.
Archana lost her father when she was just a child. In 2016, her mother, Savita Devi took the responsibility of raising her daughter. Her mother worked in the fields and sold buffalo milk to make ends meet.
In the same year, it was Archana’s maternal uncle who identified the young girl’s talent and got her enrolled in a boarding school in Moradabad where Kapil Pandey trained her.
Pandey’s coaching did wonders as she started making a name for herself. She proved her worth against New Zealand in Indian conditions and earned a spot in the U19 World Cup squad.
The daughter of Unnao emerged as a lethal spinner in the mega event who made batters dance to her tunes. Against England, she broke the back of England’s batting lineup with the wickets of skipper Grace Scrivens who finished as the second-highest run-scorer of the tournament. She also got the better of Niamh Holland who was looking to take advantage of fielding restrictions.
She bowled a total of three overs and conceded 17 runs. She played a major role in getting England bundled out for 68 not just with her bowling but her fielding as well. The athletic fielder dived forward to take a stunner at covers to dismiss set batter Ryana Macdonald Gay.
“We have achieved what we have come here for and couldn't have asked for anything better. I want to say all the supporters, mentors and coaches back home to support us always. I keep practising the catches and glad it came off in the game,” she said after India’s comprehensive win against the English.
She took a total of eight wickets from seven games including her best bowling figures of 3/14 against Scotland.
