The iconic hot seat of Kaun Banega Crorepati recently hosted a celebration of India's champion women cricketers, but the upcoming episode is set to take a deeply emotional turn. Following the tribute to the Women’s Cricket World Cup champions, captain Harmanpreet Kaur opened up about her humble beginnings, sharing a poignant story about her father's unwavering faith in her talent long before she led the national team.
A Father's Stitched Dream: The 'Good Batting' T-Shirt
In a heartfelt conversation with host Amitabh Bachchan, Harmanpreet recalled a cherished memory from her childhood. She revealed that her father, filled with hope for his daughter's future, had once personally stitched a special T-shirt for her. On that tiny garment, he had embroidered the words 'Good Batting'.
"The day I was born, my father was at his office, and the family sent him a message that my mother had been taken to the hospital," Harmanpreet shared, setting the scene for her family's early days. The significance of the handmade clothes was lost for years. "When I first wore those clothes, no one noticed. But after I played for India, a few years later, when we were shifting houses, my mother found them," she explained. Her mother then presented them, saying, 'Let me show you the clothes you wore on your first day.' It was then that Harmanpreet saw the shirt with 'Good Batting' written on it—a powerful symbol of her father's belief in her potential.
The School Principal Who Created a Team
Curious about her origins in the sport, Amitabh Bachchan asked what inspired her to take up cricket. With evident pride, Harmanpreet credited a supportive school principal for giving her the first real opportunity. "One day, my school principal saw me playing. He told me that the school had many sports but no cricket team," she recounted. The principal made her a compelling offer: "He said, 'If you join, I will create a team, because I have girls who play other sports.'"
Harmanpreet accepted, the principal stayed true to his word and formed the team, and that marked the official beginning of her journey in a girls' cricket team. This moment underscores the impact that encouragement from educators can have on a young athlete's career.
Shafali Varma's Unconventional Path to Stardom
The episode also featured young batting sensation Shafali Varma, who narrated her own unique and challenging path to cricket. Coming from a family that was not financially strong, Shafali's introduction to the game was through her brother. "My father first took my brother to cricket coaching. I would go along and tease him from behind, telling him the drills looked easy," she said with a smile.
Her father, noticing her confidence, finally asked her to try. "The first two balls I played, I hit well, and he was impressed," Shafali recalled. However, with no women's cricket academies nearby, she had to start playing with boys. Her big break came unexpectedly when her brother fell sick before a tournament. "I wore his T-shirt with his name 'Sahil' on it and played in his place… and I ended up becoming the Player of the Tournament. That was the turning point of my life," she revealed, highlighting the determination that defines her game.
These intimate revelations on Kaun Banega Crorepati go beyond the glitz of the game, showcasing the profound personal sacrifices, familial support, and serendipitous moments that forge sporting legends. The rediscovery of Harmanpreet's 'Good Batting' shirt stands as a beautiful testament to a parent's dream, realized through years of hard work and dedication on the world stage.
