Germany is my new home and I enjoy playing for them, says skipper Anuradha Doddaballapur

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Germany is my new home and I enjoy playing for them, says skipper Anuradha Doddaballapur

© Anuradha Doddaballapur/ Twitter

Germany’s Anuradha Doddaballapur recently became the first player to take four wickets in four balls in T20Is during their series against Austria when Germany whitewashed the hosts. Her bowling figures 5 for 1 in the fourth match are a record for the best figures by a captain in T20Is.

“I am overwhelmed,” Doddaballapur was quoted as saying by Deccan Herald while talking about her unique feat.

“Once I got back to my phone after the match, so many people had sent me congratulatory messages. That’s when I realised it was a record.”

Doddaballapur, who has played nine T20Is so far for Germany scoring 123 runs and taking 9 wickets, talked about the decision to move to England to pursue higher studies leaving her state side, Karnataka, in Indian domestic cricket and how it eventually led to her playing international cricket for Germany.

“Back then, cricket wasn’t a financially viable option. Women’s cricket wasn’t even under BCCI. Not many girls picked up the sport,” said the 33-year-old.

“After playing for the (Newcastle in England) university, I completed two county seasons before heading to Germany to do a PhD. in cardiovascular biology in 2013.”

Irfan Sait, coach and director of Karnataka Institute of Cricket (KIOC), talked about Doddaballapur’s playing days at the KIOC and Karnataka age group teams.

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“Anuradha would lead the attack with Pooja Shah. In a under-19 national tournament in Karimnagar, Anuradha got four wickets while Pooja picked up five as Karnataka dismissed the mighty Mumbai for 55,” Sait said while acknowledging her contributions to Karnataka cricket.

"Incidentally, Sindhu Sriharsha, who is the USA women’s team captain today, had seven dismissals behind the stumps that match."

Doddaballapur, who is currently working as cardiovascular research scientist in Germany while doubling up as the coach and development officer at Frankfurt Cricket Club, said she enjoys playing for Germany and has no regrets about the choices she made.

“Cricket is just one part of my life. It’s great to see women’s cricket being televised. Harmanpreet Kaur and Ellyse Perry are pioneers of the game today.”

“That said, I am happy with every step I took. For the kinds of people, I have met and for the kinds of experiences I have had, I wouldn’t trade them for anything. Germany is my new home and I enjoy playing for them,” she concluded.
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