Excelling against all odds is young bowler Sonam's mantra

Excelling against odds has become the sole mantra of young bowler Sonam Yadav and that's why she did her best to emerge on top, helping India win the just concluded Under-19 Women's T20 Asia Cup at Kuala Lumpur, bagging eight wickets in just three matches.

- Sharad Deep

LUCKNOW:

With an economy of 2.08, the left-arm bowler from Firozabad remained the best in the Asia Cup and her 4/6 against archrivals Pakistan, which helped India crush the rivals by nine wickets, on Tuesday got her a place in the India squad for the upcoming ICC Under-19 Women's T20 World Cup, scheduled to be played in Malaysia from January 18 to February 2.

"It's like a dream come true as after playing my first World Cup in 2023 in which India emerged champions in South Africa, I was expecting for yet another chance this time," said Sonam, 17, soon after getting the news of her selection for the Malaysia event.

"In the last World Cup in 2023, in six matches I finished with five wickets. That was my first experience at the top level, but I am sure that this time I would be increasing my wickets tally, and I am targeting to finish as the best bowler," said Sonam, daughter of a glass factory worker.