Who is Asha Sobhana? All you need to know about RCB all-rounder who picked 5-fer vs UPW in WPL 2024

RCB all-rounder Asha Sobhana picked up five wickets in the second match of WPL 2024 against UP Warriorz.

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) spinner Asha Sobhana etched her name into the records books of the Women’s Premier League (WPL), where she helped her team win a thrilling encounter by two runs in the WPL 2024 match against UP Warriorz at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Saturday, February 24.

The right-arm leg-break bowler Asha Sobhana delivered a match-winning performance in match No. 2 of the WPL 2024 between Royal Challengers Bangalore and UP Warriorz. Asha Sobhana picked up five wickets to help her side kick-off their WPL 2024 season with a thrilling win. 

In the 17th over of the match, the 32-year-old Sobhana completely derailed UP Warriorz’s chances of chasing the target of 158 as she turned the game into RCB’s favor by taking three wickets in a single over.

Earlier, Royal Challengers Bangalore leg-spinner Asha Sobhana scalped two more important wickets of batters Vrinda Dinesh and Tahlia McGrath in the ninth over of UP Warriorz’s run-chase. After that, RCB captain Smriti Mandhana brought the leg-spinner into the attack in the 17th over, where she took three wickets of Shweta Sehrawat, Grace Harris, and Kiran Navgire.

THREE wickets in an over 🤯Triple treat from Asha Shobana and this match is heading down to the wire 💥Match Centre 💻📱 https://t.co/kIBDr0FhM4#TATAWPL | #RCBvUPW pic.twitter.com/IQ469MGFPC

— Women's Premier League (WPL) (@wplt20) February 24, 2024

With this outstanding performance, Asha Sobhana registered her best WPL figures of 5/22 with an economy rate of 5.5 in her quota of four overs. The leg-spinner was also named Player of the Match for her incredible bowling performance. Asha Sobhana also achieved the historic feat of becoming the first Indian bowler to register a 5-wicket haul in WPL history.

Who is Royal Challengers Bangalore star player Asha Sobhana

Born in March 1991 in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, Asha Sobhana’s childhood wasn’t paved with luxuries. Her late father was an auto-rickshaw driver in Kerala who worked tirelessly to support the family, and resources were scarce. But amidst the limitations, Asha discovered her passion for cricket.

We asked Gemini to show us the perfect homecoming. 🏡❤️‍🔥#PlayBold #SheIsBold #ನಮ್ಮRCB #WPL2024 #RCBvUPW pic.twitter.com/aODh3dVS4k

— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) February 25, 2024

However, the Kerala-born cricketer was unaware of women’s cricket at the professional level until she watched former bowler Neetu David play international cricket on Doordarshan. After seeing her, she picked up an interest in cricket while completing her education at Cotton Hill Girls Higher Secondary School in Thiruvananthapuram.

The rise of Asha Shobana in Indian cricket

Asha Shobana started off her cricketing journey as a 13-year-old when she played for Trivandrum and afterwards when she was just 14 years old, she played for state team Kerala at the senior level.

Interestingly Shane Warne’s coach, Terry Jenner, was the first to spot Shobana’s incredible talent at the age of 15 while training her at the MAC Spin Foundation. Terry Jenner was impressed with Asha’s sheer determination, skills, and talent.

Our First W in WPL at Namma Chinnaswamy ❤️‍🔥Frame this one, 12th Man Army. We're doing it too 🖼️🥹#PlayBold #SheIsBold #ನಮ್ಮRCB #WPL2024 #RCBvUPW pic.twitter.com/QAR4Gkmfov

— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) February 25, 2024

At the age of 19, the young leg-spinner played her Senior Women’s T20 Challenger for Kerala. However, her career breakthrough performance came during the 2011–12 season of the tournament, where Asha Shobana scalped ten wickets and notched up two crucial half-centuries in seven matches.

In the following season of the Senior Women’s T20 Challenger, Sobhana played for Railways and helped her side win the title.

The turning point Asha Shobana’s career

The Women’s Premier League auction in February 2023 proved to be a turning point in Asha’s career. Picked up by Royal Challengers Bangalore, she entered the prestigious tournament with a determination to prove her worth. The Bangalore franchise bought her for Rs. 10 Lakhs.

This team. This mentality. 🥹🔥#PlayBold #SheIsBold #ನಮ್ಮRCB #WPL2024 #RCBvUPW pic.twitter.com/ZHWDjPpRPn

— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) February 24, 2024

From the dusty village grounds to the biggest stage of women’s cricket, Asha Shobana’s journey inspires countless aspiring women’s cricketers in India to never give up on their dreams. Her remarkable story has just begun, and the cricketing world eagerly awaits to see what this rising star accomplishes next.

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