Sachin Tendulkar, the man behind Harmanpreet Kaur's job in the Western Railways

Indian Women’s team batsman Harmanpreet Kaur has been in the top story of every newspaper after her trailblazing knock against the Aussies in the Women’s World Cup Semi Final. Her 171 run inning of just 115 balls was an inning of a lifetime and has been praised by cricketing legends from all over the world.

But Harmanpreet’s road to stardom was not as smooth as you might have thought. In an exclusive chat with Indian Express, CoA member Diana Edulji threw light on how the legendary Sachin Tendulkar helped Kaur to land a job in the Western Railways.

The story:

Dina Edulji, who has been tracking Harmanpreet Kaur from her younger days, wanted Harmanpreet to get a job with the Western Railways in Mumbai in a higher post than what she already had with the Northern Railways. Unfortunately for the cricketer, the President did not accept the application. Diana then went to Sachin Tendulkar and asked for help from the Master blaster, who was Member of Parliament (MP) at that time. Tendulkar recommended Kaur’s name, and with the push, Harmanpreet bagged the job.

“I told her, ‘I will get you a higher post. he was getting a junior class in Northern Railways. I offered her a chief office superintendent post. Her application was later sent to Delhi, but was rejected by the president. I requested Sachin, who is a Member of Parliament, to write a letter to the Railway minister, forwarding the case of Harmanpreet Kaur,” Diana said.

Harmanpreet was not having a great tournament until the semi-final against Australia. With Mithali raj, Smriti Mandhana and Punam Raut taking charge in the group stages, Kaur did not have much to do. But rising to the occasion in the all important semi final, Harmanpreet manhandled the Aussie bowling attack with ease. Her swashbuckling century laid the platform for India’s comprehensive victory. The Indians will now play hosts England in the final of the ICC Women’s World Cup.