'She has a great attitude and is a truly hard-working cricketer' - Munish Bali extols virtues of Uma Chetry post debut game

Despite the second T20I between India Women and South Africa Women being curtailed by rain, resulting in only half the match being played, the young debutant, Uma Chetry, received unreserved praise from India Women's fielding coach, Munish Bali. 

It is noteworthy that Chetry executed a stumping to dismiss the Player of the Match from the first T20I, Tazmin Brits, albeit only after 12 overs. Her inaugural dismissal in international cricket was thwarted in the second over when she performed a similar stumping off a delivery from Sajeevan Sajana. However, it was declared not-out and a no-ball because Chetry had collected the ball in front of the stumps before dislodging the bails, an incident that left her in visible and utter agony.

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Bali expressed immense joy when Chetry was awarded her debut cap, marking her as the 83rd player for India Women in T20Is (stepping in for the concussed Richa Ghosh). He also reminisced about her courageous stint fielding at short-leg for 70-80 overs during the one-off Test at the same venue, lauding her bravery for such a commendable effort.

"I was happy when she was handed her debut cap. During the Test, she fielded for around 70-80 overs, she is a brave girl," stated Bali during the post-match press conference.

Highlighting the well-known and evident difficulty of standing close-in at short-leg, he recounted how Chetry persevered through pain after being struck by the ball. He praised her exceptional attitude and tireless work ethic, expressing happiness that she ultimately redeemed herself by stumping out Brits.

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"Standing at short-leg is not easy. She got hit by the ball, but she stood there in pain. She has great attitude and is a truly hard-working cricketer. I was so happy for her to have stumped Brits," added Bali.

A notable aspect of this resolute 21-year-old from Assam is her background of coming from a low-income family and overcoming numerous challenges. From the age of eight, she undertook an arduous 16-kilometre trek daily to reach her cricket training centre in Bokakhat town.