She must be a household name in India now after her blistering innings of 171 not out against the defending champions Australia, but Harmanpreet Kaur has been doing this for quite some time now. Her last ball six against the South Africans helped India to clinch the ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier.
Former India cricketer and currently a member of COA Diana Edulji spotted the Punjab cricketer and wanted her to move to Mumbai to give her better opportunities. However, Kaur, then 24 already got a job from the Northern Railways for a junior post. However, if she was offered a higher position then only she could move to Mumbai.
While talking to Indian Express, she recalls, “I told her, I will get you a higher post. She was getting a junior class in Northern Railway. I offered her a chief office superintendent post. Her application was later sent to Delhi, but was rejected by the president.”
It was then the little master stepped in and wrote a letter to the Railway minister regarding the case of Harmanpreet Kaur.” I requested Sachin, who is a Member of Parliament, to write a letter to the Railway minister, forwarding the case of Harmanpreet Kaur,” Edulji said. It was the letter and a little more inducement from the retired Western Railways officer which helped Kaur get a higher post eventually.
Edulji in her interview also underlined the difficulties that a women cricketer faces. Before the world cup, many players were struggling for a kit bag. However, she believes that times are changing. She adds on, “Last time when I traveled to England as a manager we were given £25 per day. Girls used to get packed food from the supermarket nearby, boil it and eat it. At least now things have started to change.” Now there is parity between the men’s and the women’s player as both are paid $100 as daily allowance.