‘Still a long way to go for Komal’
| Date :10-Aug-2020 |
Leading the side Komal Zanzad (right) picked up nine wickets to help Vidarbha dismiss Haryana for 31 runs in 18.4 overs in a plate division match of the Senior Women’s One-Day League in December 2018.
By Mahesh S Kale :
ANYTHING is possible when you have right people to guide and support you. The same holds true in case of city’s left-arm fast bowler Komal Ravindra Zanzad, who only after getting the right kind of guidance and support from her friends and family, was able to conquer several milestones in life. The pacer, who made her India debut against England in 2019 at Guwahati, got into professional cricket when her colony friends urged her to join a cricket coaching academy.
“Earlier Komal used to play cricket with her colony friends but after seeing her worth and passion for the sport they all urged her to join a professional cricketing club. “Komal began her professional cricketing journey at Shree Binzani City College ground, Sakkardara under the watchful eyes of Dalvi Sir. She must have been 12 or 13 when she joined the summer camp and was the only girl in that club,” said her mother Rajani Zanzad. Rajani added, “Komal from her childhood only was into cricket. She was always playing with the cricket ball. “God knows how many things she had broken in our house. I still remember the day when she broke our wall clock while she was playing cricket with her sister inside the house.” Komal, who took nine wickets for eight runs during the Senior Women’s One-Day League match against Haryana in December 2018 actually got the much needed push in her cricketing career when she got into the VCA camp.
“Komal trained at the Binzani City College ground for a year and then she shifted her practise to Western Coalfields Limited (WCL) ground. But after giving outstanding performance at the One-Day tournament, organised by the Vidarbha Women’s Cricket Association (VWCA) she made her place in to the VCA camp. At the VCA camp she received special training from coaches, trainers and dietician which improved her overall worth and cricketing acumen,” said the homemaker Rajani while interacting with ‘The Hitavada’.
“We never had a sporting background in our family and hence I never had a high expectation from Komal. But later when we got to know about the sport we slowly started expecting from her. But even in my wildest dream I never expected her to climb the ladder this high. I think its her hard work and determination that has bore these sweet fruits,” stated Rajani. During the conversation, she said, “I am happy that I have three daughters and as parents we never gave anyone more preference. We have supported all the three daughters in our own way. In Komal’s case we have supported her right from the beginning. Her father and her grandfather were also very fond of cricket so she always had a free hand and a big support from the family. Whenever Komal used to ask for things like say bat or ball, her father used to get those things the very next day.”
She added, “Apart from dropping and picking her up from the club, we really didn’t had any issue with her cricketing journey. Sometimes it was her cousin who used to drop her at the club and sometimes she used to go with her friend.” Komal, who took three wickets for fourteen runs while playing for the Indian Board President’s Women XI side against England during a 50 overs warm-up match, also had to quit on her dream of becoming a Mechanical Engineer.
“Komal was above average in academics. She wanted to become a Mechanical Engineer but due to cricket she had to quit on that dream. Komal has now completed her Bachelor of Commerce in Computer Application (BCCA) while her elder sister Snehal has just finished her MSc in Environmental Science. My youngest daughter Darshana completed her Electrical Engineering,” said Rajani.
Rajani, who has seen all the ups and downs in Komal’s life said she still remembers the moment when Komal was selected into the Indian team. “Komal made her India debut against England in 2019 and that was a very special moment for all us. We are very proud of her. Although she was not part of the playing 11 team but making it to the Indian squad itself is a matter of huge pride for all of us. Komal taking nine wickets for eight runs during the Senior Women’s One-Day League match against Haryana was one of our favourite moments. But it is still a long way to go for her,” Rajani signed off.