Against All Odds, Against All Norms: How Amanjot Kaur, A Carpenter’s Daughter, Became India’s Record-Breaking Cricket Sensation
By Tn Lifestyle Desk
Copyright timesnownews
In the opening clash of the 2025 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup at Guwahati’s Barsapara Stadium, Amanjot Kaur didn’t just walk onto the pitch—she stormed into history. Coming in at number eight with India wobbling, the 25-year-old all-rounder produced a gutsy 57 off 56 balls and followed it up with a wicket, sealing India’s dominant win over Sri Lanka. The innings wasn’t just another statistic; it placed her in a rare club. Only two women in World Cup history have scored a half-century batting at number eight or lower—Amanjot now stands beside Pooja Vastrakar, who first managed the feat in 2022. Amanjot Kaur: Mohali Roots, Big Dreams Born on 25 August, 2000, in Mohali, Punjab, she grew up far from the spotlight of cricket academies and stadiums. Amanjot’s father, Bhupinder Singh, runs a small carpentry workshop, while her mother, Ranjeet Kaur, is a homemaker. Alongside siblings Kamaljot and Gurkirpal, Amanjot was raised in an environment where resources were few but encouragement was plenty. Cricket fascinated her from childhood—though in her world, the game was a passion nurtured quietly against the grain of expectations. Amanjot Kaur Family: The Hidden Backbone Like many young girls with big dreams, Amanjot faced the everyday hurdles of convincing others she belonged on the field. The neighbourhood boys were hesitant to play with a girl. But her grandmother saw things differently. She would secretly take Amanjot to practice sessions, and cheered for her. Bhupinder Singh, too, soon transformed from cautious parent to her greatest supporter. When she didn’t own a bat, he carved one himself overnight. Later, he saved enough to buy her a scooter at 18, making sure she could travel independently to training without missing sessions. It was this kind of unspoken support that kept her going when cricket felt like an impossible dream. Amanjot Kaur: First Breaks and First Battles At 15, Amanjot joined a cricket academy, only to take a forced pause for school exams. When she returned, all the girls’ slots were filled—but she managed to squeeze into the nets as a bowler. That small chance turned out to be life-changing. Spotted by Dipendar Chabbra, she soon trained under BCCI Level II coach Nagesh Gupta. Representing Punjab in under-19 and under-23 cricket followed naturally. Amanjot moved to Chandigarh to pursue education and this helped her come closer to the professional circuit. Her hard work finally paid off in January 2023 and she played against South Africa and helped India clinch a 27-run win. Amanjot Kaur: Injuries, Setbacks, and the Comeback Sport often tests not just skill, but resolve. In 2024, Amanjot faced a nightmare—first a back stress fracture, then a hand ligament injury. For a young cricketer, these weren’t just physical roadblocks but potential career-enders. But she refused to fade away. Months of rehabilitation, fitness training, and mental conditioning later, she returned sharper and hungrier. Amanjot Kaur: The WPL Boost When the Women’s Premier League came calling, Mumbai Indians saw something special in Amanjot and signed her for ₹50 lakh in the inaugural auction. The price tag might have been a headline, but her performances made her a household name. Calm under pressure, she evolved into a lower-order finisher and a handy bowler—often turning matches when Mumbai looked down and out. Her rise in the WPL cemented her place as one of India’s brightest all-round talents. Amanjot Kaur: Defining Moments From gritty T20 cameos to match-saving half-centuries, Amanjot has made a habit of stepping up when her team needs her most. One of her most memorable knocks came in July 2025 against England, when she combined with Jemimah Rodrigues for a 93-run stand, steering India to a dramatic 24-run victory. What makes Amanjot Kaur’s story remarkable isn’t just the runs, wickets, or trophies. It’s the journey—of a grandmother’s quiet encouragement, of a father’s handmade bat, of resilience that refused to bow down to injuries or circumstances. From Mohali’s narrow streets to the grand stages of world cricket, she embodies the spirit of perseverance. At just 25, Amanjot is not only carving her place in the record books but also inspiring a generation of girls who dare to dream. Her story is proof that greatness isn’t inherited—it’s carved, sometimes literally, with a father’s chisel on a piece of wood.