Women’s Premier League: Leg-spinning talent from the land of football

In recent times, Kerala, the land of football, is making news for churning out cricket stars at least in the women’s game. First it was Minnu Mani in the inaugural season of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) and on Saturday it was little-known Asha Sobhana who stole the spotlight.

The 32-year-old leg-spinner bagged a fifer that turned out to be the game-changer in Royal Challengers Bangalore’s two-run win against UP Warriorz at the M Chinnaswamy stadium on Saturday. Though the way she claimed her wickets made the crowd erupt with joy, it was her celebrations right after each one that became the hot topic.

“I’m a big Arsenal fan. So being a Gunner at heart, I was trying to replicate (Leandro) Trossard’s celebration to have some fun,” she shared.

That’s how far away from football one can try to keep a Keralite! But cricket has her complete heart. Making bats out of coconut tree branches with ’10’ etched over it to depict Sachin Tendulkar’s jersey number which has been retired, Asha grew up in the humble bylanes of Thiruvananthapuram playing the game in the neighbourhood.