Dang girl smashes barriers, earns Gujarat U-15 spot

Surat: At just 13, Frenny Chaudhari has already taken a significant step towards her dream of wearing the Indian women's cricket jersey. Hailing from the tribal heartland of Dang district, the young all-rounder has earned selection to the Gujarat Under-15 cricket team and is currently representing the state at a national-level tournament in Nagpur.Frenny, the daughter of police head constable Arvind Chaudhari, comes from Chirapada village in Ahwa taluka of Dang. In pursuit of better training opportunities, her family now lives in Surat. She is a Class 8 student at JB & Karp Vidyasankul in Laskana and trains professionally at the Free Cricket Academy in Surat.Her journey in cricket has been shaped by disciplined training and strong family support. Under the guidance of coach Dhanusukh Patel, Frenny's natural athletic ability has been carefully honed into competitive cricketing skills. "I am happy that I got the opportunity to play for Gujarat. I could do this because of the support of my parents and my coach," Frenny said.Patel describes her as a committed and naturally gifted sportsperson. "She is hardworking and focused, with exceptional stamina and flexibility. She is developing into a reliable batswoman, a sharp bowler, an agile fielder and a strong runner — a complete all-rounder in the making," he said, expressing confidence in her future prospects.Her father Arvind, currently posted with the State Reserve Police (SRP) at Vav in Surat district, has played a crucial role in nurturing her sporting ambitions. A sportsperson himself, he recalled that Frenny initially excelled in athletics before turning to cricket. "She won several events in athletics. Once she took an interest in cricket, she started proving her abilities very quickly," he said.Frenny's selection through the Surat District Cricket Association and her consistent performances in the domestic season have sparked excitement among cricket lovers across Dang district and south Gujarat, where her success is being seen as a source of inspiration.