Who is Sajeevan Sajana? - Everything you need to know about Mumbai Indians' last-ball hero

In a thrilling opener of the Women's Premier League 2024, Sajeevan Sajana engraved her name in WPL history with a breathtaking last-ball six that propelled the defending champions Mumbai Indians to a scintillating 4-wicket victory over Delhi Capitals. Making her WPL debut, Sajana, the 29-year-old all-rounder, showcased nerves of steel as she calmly dispatched spinner Alice Capsey over long-on for a maximum, sending waves of jubilation through Harmanpreet Kaur's squad.

Unsold in the inaugural edition auction, Sajana's eventual acquisition by Mumbai Indians now seems as nothing short of a masterstroke. Despite the odds stacked against her, with 5 runs required off the final delivery, Sajana seized the moment with unwavering resolve. Having endured a dropped catch earlier in the evening, she stood undeterred, marking her guard and setting her sights on glory.

For most Mumbai fans, victory appeared out of grasp until Sajana's heroics rewrote the narrative via a single stroke. With sheer determination, she charged down the pitch and dispatched Capsey's delivery into the night sky, the ball sailing over the long-on fence. That’s the beauty and unpredictability of T20 cricket, and Sajana's feat epitomises the same aspect of the sport, where destiny can pivot on the axis of a solitary delivery.

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Up close and personal with Sajeevan Sajana

Sajeevan Sajana, born on January 4, 1995, in Mananthavadi, Wayanad, Kerala, emerges from humble beginnings, with her father driving a rickshaw for a living. Widely known as S Sajana, the all-rounder excels in right-arm off-break bowling and right-handed batting. Her cricketing journey has been marked by resilience and triumph over adversity. Sajana has represented Kerala, South Zone, and India A teams prior to her debut with the Mumbai Indians in the Women's Premier League 2024.

At the auction, Mumbai Indians secured Sajana for INR 15 lakhs, surpassing her base price of Rs 10 lakhs. Hailing from the Kurichiya tribe, Sajana follows in the footsteps of her Kerala teammate Minnu Mani, becoming the second cricketer from the tribe to grace the WPL stage.

Her ascent to prominence began with leading Kerala's Under-23 team to victory in the Twenty-20 Super League in 2019. Notable performances in the Senior Women's T20 Trophy 2023, where she accrued 134 runs and claimed 6 wickets, underscore her potential. The 29-year-old considers the WPL as a pathway to further her dreams, aiming to earn a spot in the senior Indian cricket team, replicating the achievements of her compatriot Minnu Mani.