A new challenge awaits Pune cricketer Tejal Hasabnis

PUNE: For the last four years, Tejal Hasabnis has either been in the nets, playing cricket or around the books, studying for exams. It's a tough life with minimal social pleasures. But if she could rewind and swap her blooming cricketing career for a more well-rounded and easy lifestyle, the 21-year old all-rounder from Pune would still choose the same path that she is leading right now.
"When I was in the 11th standard, everyone around me were doing different things in their free time, but I used to go to practice in the morning which was followed by school and then tuition classes.It was quite tiring. Everyone used to tell me that I don't give time to myself but I enjoyed every moment of it," says a smiling Tejal who was Maharashtra's top-scorer this season.

"A couple of years ago, Devika (Vaidya) and I were counting the number of days that we have spent away from home and it was more than 300," said the middle-order batter. "There have been multiple times when I went to college for two hours between my practice sessions to give exams."
Although the state women's team did not achieve any silverware this season, there was a silver lining in the dazzling performances of Tejal who scored 1,019 runs through four tournaments.

Even when given a chance with the ball in Senior Under-23 league, the off-spinner took 18 wickets in eight games. It has earned her a call-up for Under-23 Challenger Trophy, scheduled in Ranchi from April 20, where she will play for India Red.
Tejal has been representing Maharashtra in the U-23 and senior sides for the last three seasons across various formats. She also played at the U-19 level. She chose Tilak Maharashtra Vidyapeeth as her college for the only reason that it is next to Kataria School where she trains.

Tejal's father Sanjay Hasabnis, a banker by profession, used to take her to practice every morning until it was over and then dropped her to school. Her mother Anagha works in an architecture firm. Coming from a middle-class family, Tejal is the first to pursue a sporting career. She is the only child to her working parents.
Women's cricket hasn't been a popular sporting choice in India. Hence parents' support in her endeavour was vital. It also helped that the BCCI took women's cricket in India under their wing around the same time.
Tejal's first idea to follow her cricketing dream came when she was15. She was scoring well in an inter-school girls tournament organized by Pune District Cricket Association. "PDCA had organised a tennis ball inter-school tournament for girls in 2012. I remember scoring 85 runs in 35 balls through which I made it to the district team where I played with a leather ball for the first time," she recalled.
Until that time, Tejal's skills were confined to gully cricket with boys in her neighbourhood in Bibwewadi and the raw set style of play eventually worked for her in the interschool tournament.

She took to bowling due to such dynamic cricketing upbringing. The same year, Tejal joined Cricket Next Academy where she started training under Atul Gaikwad who was surprised by her ability to hit the ball.
Tejal showed it this season as well, smashing 248 runs in the Under-23 One-day league with an average of 62. "When Tejal joined the academy, she was different and technically sound. At the age of 15-16, she could smash big sixes. So I did not change her style and developed it instead. Even with the ball, she is a good option," said Gaikwad who has been her personal coach for six years. He made sure that Tejal played with boys during practice.
Shankar Dalvi, who coaches Maharashtra women's team, was also at the helm when Tejal made her U-19 debut.
He has seen the rise of India star Smriti Mandhana and feels that a few improvements may bear Tejal similar fruits.
"Tejal has got the skills to be on the top. She has scored runs against the likes of Jhulan Goswami and taken wickets of Mithali Raj and Harmanpreet Kaur. By improving he fielding, Tejal can break into the Indian team," said Dalvi.
She has been working on her shortcomings.
"I started improving my fitness level and on my mentality to approach the game. I started working out and it brought consistency to my game. I have also worked on my finishing skills which has given results," said Tejal.

When asked about making the next grade, she tangled her fingers nervously said with a glimmer in her eyes: "Playing for India is any player's ultimate dream."
Gaikwad said that Tejal was close to making the cut but the pressure got the better of her a couple of years ago.
"She was almost there but it (setback) was also a blessing in disguise. Tejal is a very poised girl now," he said.
Now, the Challenger Trophy awaits the youngster who has been knocking on the doors. She can fall back on her trusted allies: hard work and dream.