Minnumani, the daughter of Mani and Vasantha from Mananthavady, Wayanad, has become a pride for Kerala sports by getting named a member of the Indian women's cricket team. 24-year-old Minnu is the first woman player to get selected for the Indian team after playing domestic cricket for Kerala. Minnumani's rise to the forefront of sports in India from the Kurichya tribe, an Adivasi tribe, adds glitter to the achievement. Minnu has been included in the Indian squad for the Twenty20 series in Bangladesh.

Women's cricket in India started decades ago at the Baker School in Kottayam. In the 1970s, Malayalis Susan Itchicheriya from Niranam in Kottayam and Sudha Shah from Kannur played in the Indian women's cricket team. Both of them played for Tamil Nadu as Kerala did not have a women's cricket team then. Minnu learned cricket with boys from a family background where girls were not even allowed to talk to boys. Minnumani says that the support given by her parents to go out to play cricket when she was in school paved the way for her to make it to the Indian team. Due to her interest in cricket, she even lied about having an extra class in school and went to play cricket. It was Minnu's devotion to the game that melted away her parents' objections.

A left-handed batter and off-break bowler, Minnumani was part of the Delhi Capitals team in the women's IPL earlier this season. Minnu was able to play only in three matches. She did not get a chance to prove her ability. However, the all-rounder's impressive performances for Kerala at both the junior and senior levels earned her the Indian jersey. She recently caught the attention of the selectors with her brilliant performance against the Railways.

Minnu's success is due to the efforts made by the Kerala Cricket Association to create a national player from Kerala. KCA recognized Minnu's talent from the junior level and provided excellent training facilities. KCA has also been able to create a nationally notable women's team. KCA, which built a great stadium at Krishnagiri in Wayanad, is producing stars even from small villages. Minnu was called up to the Indian team while participating in a training camp organized by KCA at the Krishnagiri Stadium.

Harmanpreet Kaur will lead the 18-member Indian squad for the series against Bangladesh. Smriti Mandhana is the vice-captain. There are three Twenty20s in the series. Minnu has the experience of playing in Bangladesh with the Indian A team in 2019.

It is also a moment of great pride that Kerala players have become members of the Indian men's and women's teams at the same time. Sanju Samson has been included in the men's team that will go on the Caribbean tour. Let us hope that changes will happen in women's cricket in Kerala through Minnumani who brought the light of cricket to Wayanad hills. May many more stars be born along the path created by Minnu. All the best to Minnu once again.