Rising Stars of Bihar Cricket: Akshara Gupta Shines Bright
Bihar cricket is in the spotlight, thanks to remarkable talents like Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. At just 15, Vaibhav has already made waves in the IPL and secured a spot on the Indian team. Hot on his heels is his younger brother, 10-year-old Aashirwad, who recently impressed everyone by scoring 103 runs off 87 balls for the Cricket Academy Tajpur in Samastipur.
But the excitement doesn’t stop there. A new star has emerged in women’s cricket from Bihar—15-year-old Akshara Gupta. She recently achieved an incredible feat by scoring a stunning 306 runs without losing her wicket in the Bihar Women’s Under-19 One Day Trophy, playing for Raxaul. Her innings included 55 fours and 8 sixes, showcasing her remarkable talent.
Akshara’s performance has caught the eyes of cricket experts and selectors alike, marking a significant milestone for women’s cricket in the state. Her success comes alongside the emerging talents of players like Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, highlighting Bihar’s growing reputation for nurturing young cricketers.
A Glimpse into Akshara’s Journey
Akshara hails from a humble background and discovered her love for cricket at the age of eight. In her small town, formal coaching was a luxury she didn’t have, as there were no cricket academies or structured girls’ teams available. However, with her uncle’s guidance, she began honing her skills in her backyard, practicing nearly five hours each day with unwavering determination.
Her father, Raj Kishore Shah, runs a chicken shop in Raxaul, while her mother, Reena Devi, is a dedicated homemaker. To fuel Akshara’s passion, her father even built a practice net in their garden, enabling her to train regularly. With a supportive family that includes two sisters and a brother, Akshara’s journey was nurtured well; her mother ensured she followed a disciplined routine, waking her up at 5 AM for her morning runs.
Inspiration came early for Akshara from her cousin Rishabh, who also played cricket for Bihar. Playing with local boys boosted her confidence, and she eagerly participated in selection trials, displaying remarkable fearlessness.
2024 marked a turning point when Akshara was selected for the Bihar Under-19 women’s team and even became captain at just 14 years old. She made history by being the first female cricketer from Bihar to participate in all four BCCI age-group formats in a single season.
Her achievements come on the heels of impressive performances by other young players in the country. Notably, last year, 14-year-old Ira Jadhav made headlines by scoring an incredible 346 runs for Mumbai in the Women’s U-19 One Day Trophy. This innings included 42 fours and 16 sixes, setting a new standard in youth cricket.
With Akshara’s rise, it is clear that Indian women’s cricket is building a strong future. With seasoned players like Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur leading the way, the nation is witnessing a flourishing pool of young talents prepared to take the sport to new heights.
