AMANJOT 2.0: ALL-ROUND APTITUDE

THE 24-YEAR-OLD HAS MADE THE MOST OF THE INJURY LAYOFF AND IS KEEN TO CONTRIBUTE IN ALL THREE DEPARTMENTS FOR INDIA

- GOMESH S @ Chennai

HEN Amanjot Kaur walked onto the field at the SSN College Ground, Chennai on January 7 for Team E during the senior women's one-day challenger Trophy clash against Team A after an eight-month injury layoff, she did not feel nervous. Instead, Kaur was grateful to return to pitch. It was when a back stress fracture and a ligament tear in her hand put her out of action in April 2024, Kaur realised how much the sport meant to her.

Like most players, recovery was not easy. With so much time to kill, the mind may play havoc. Kaur had to adapt and started doing chores like making salad, painting and watching movies to keep herself busy and occupied during rehabilitation. And when she finally made a comeback, the Punjab all-rounder unleashed herself like never before. Even though her team did not make the final, she impressed with her bowling in the senior challengers and went on to play a crucial part in Mumbai Indians winning their second Women's Premier League title. An India comeback followed in Sri Lanka where she took back-to-back three-fers in the ODI tri-series. Now, the all-rounder is in England, hoping to make a mark in the five T20Is and three ODIs that begin on Saturday.