Surat: Tanu Gopale, 16, once waited for her parents to leave for work before stepping out to play cricket with boys on her street. Asked not to play in the afternoon sun, she still found ways to follow her passion. A moment of confrontation at home changed her life.About five years ago, her mother, Asha, returned home soon after leaving and found Tanu playing. She pulled her inside, scolded her and warned her not to repeat it. Tanu stood her ground and said she wanted to play cricket. That conversation marked a turning point, with Asha choosing to back her daughter’s ambition, even as Tanu’s father objected.Asha, who works as a housekeeper at a hospital, began looking for coaching options and was guided to Dhansukh Patel, a former cricketer who runs an academy in Umber village. Despite concerns over long practice hours and limited finances, Asha enrolled Tanu. Patel agreed to train her free of cost.Years of disciplined training have now paid off. Tanu has been selected for the BCCI West Zone Under-17 camp in Mumbai. Before the zonal call-up, the all-rounder featured in a few matches for the Gujarat Cricket Association’s Under-17 women’s team and earned selection through her performances.“I liked playing cricket since I was young and used to go out to play with boys, but my family did not like it,” Tanu told TOI. “One day my mother found me playing and scolded me. Then I explained how much I liked cricket, after which she decided to send me for coaching despite my father’s objections.”Tanu said her father felt she should not play outside because she is a girl, but her mother remained firm in her support. She added that her father later left home due to family disputes, and Asha continued to stand by her cricket journey.Earning Rs 13,000 a month, Asha supports Tanu and her elder son, Pranav, and ensures they get opportunities. “I will support Tanu as long as she wants and will make sure she succeeds in her passion,” she said. “I was not getting financial support from my husband and he left us around four years ago, but I have never stopped Tanu’s coaching.”Patel credited both the player and her mother for their perseverance. “Tanu is a deserving sportswoman and her mother’s struggle is an inspiration for her,” he said.Asha often accompanies Tanu to training venues and stays through demanding practice sessions. “For various reasons, I could not study after school, but I wish Tanu becomes a successful cricketer and plays for India,” she said.Pranav, too, backs his sister’s ambition and encourages her to keep improving.
