Najma Khans Journey: From Benchwarmer to Star Player in Delhis Cricket Team

New Delhi, November 13 (Daily Kiran) : Najma Khan’s cricket career has been a testament to resilience and determination. After spending six years on the bench with Delhi’s age-group teams, she finally made her mark in the competitive world of cricket.

At 30, Najma was still waiting for her chance in the Women’s Premier League (WPL). Despite not being picked in the last two auctions, she remained hopeful. On October 28, during the mini-auction for WPL 2027 in Kochi, she was with the Delhi team for the Senior Women’s T20 Trophy league stage. When her name was called, none of the five franchises showed interest, although she did receive an invitation from Gujarat Giants for net bowling.

Reflecting on the experience, Najma shared in a virtual conversation, “I initially watched some of the auction, but then we had a team meeting, so I missed the rest. When my name came up, no one raised their paddle to bid. I felt a bit disappointed and left the room. I didn’t watch the auction afterward because I was upset.”

She reached out to one of her mentors, expressing her disappointment. He reassured her, saying, “Don’t worry, Najma. This is part of life and your journey. Ups and downs are inevitable; you just have to keep moving forward.” Moments later, she received a message from Gujarat Giants about net bowling, which surprised her amid her disappointment. Her mentor encouraged her to accept the opportunity.

In a surprising turn, Delhi Capitals acquired Najma for ₹10 lakh during the fast-paced auction, filling her with joy. She recounted, “Suddenly, my room was buzzing with excitement. My teammates told me that my name was called. For a moment, I couldn’t believe it. I was overwhelmed and started crying. I was so happy to finally be recognized.”

Indian batter and captain of Delhi Capitals, Jemimah Rodrigues, welcomed Najma to the team, sharing a screenshot of an old message from Najma sent nearly a year prior. In that message, Najma had expressed her dream of playing alongside Jemimah and contributing to team victories.

Jemimah posted on her story, “I opened Instagram to message Najma and found a message from her sent a year ago. A year later, this dream has come true. Welcome to our team!” Delhi Capitals also reshared the post, encouraging others to chase their dreams and never lose hope.

Najma had sent that message after watching Jemimah score an unbeaten 127 runs against Australia in the 2025 ODI World Cup semi-final, a match that inspired her greatly. She recalled, “I watched the entire match. Jemimah handled the pressure so well. I felt a strong connection because I knew I wanted to perform like her for my team.”

After the long wait, Najma’s success has been remarkable. Last season, she was the leading wicket-taker in the Senior Women’s One Day Trophy, claiming 24 wickets at an average of 15.62. In the Inter-Zonal T20 Trophy, she also topped the charts with 12 wickets for the North Zone.

Her batting prowess was evident in the last Senior Women’s T20 Trophy, where she scored 106 runs at a strike rate of 120.5. In the 2024/25 ODI season, she amassed 267 runs, including an unbeaten 126. In August, she earned the Purple Cap with 12 wickets, leading her team, North Delhi Strikers, to victory in the Women’s Delhi Premier League.

Najma’s inspiration in sports comes from her father, who played kabaddi and cricket during his college days. Growing up in Delhi, she participated in cycling, football, and boxing, often being the only girl playing alongside boys.

After attending a summer camp at the National Stadium, she began her cricket journey at the RPCA Academy as a medium-pacer before transitioning to left-arm spin. With the help of a cricket scholarship, she graduated from Gargi College, further solidifying her commitment to the sport.