10 Things To Know About The Goddess Of Cricket - Anjum Chopra

She struggled and she conquered. A passionate sportsperson, feminist and a pet lover. She was the leading name in the women’s cricket during her era.  It’s the star’s birthday today. Before you tweet your wishes, here are 10 things to know about Anjum Chopra:

1) Born on May 20 1977, Anjum hails from New Delhi. She completed her schooling from Delhi Public School, R.K. Puram and later went to St. Stephen’s College, Delhi University. She holds an MBA degree from FORE School of Management with a dual specialization in Marketing and Human Resources.

2)  Not just cricket, Anjum was fascinated by all forms of sports. She started playing at an early age, representing her school and college in athletics, basketball, and swimming. She was also a member of the Delhi State basketball team that competed at nationals.

3)  Chopra started playing cricket at the age of 9 and made her debut in one-day internationals at 17 against New Zealand at Christchurch. A few months later, she made her debut in Test cricket against England at Eden Gardens, Kolkata in 1995.

4) A left-hand batswoman and right-hand medium-fast pace bowler, Anjum was given the captaincy of the Indian women's team in the year 2002. Under her leadership, India attained plenty of accolades. The team recorded their first overseas Test victory under Anjum’s captaincy.

5) Anjum Chopra is the first Indian woman to score a century for India; the First woman to play hundred ODIs and the first to play in six World Cups for India, which includes four ODI World Cups and two T20Is.

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6)  She is also the First captain to win a Test Series abroad (India won the test match in South Africa in 2002) and the First captain to record a series whitewash over England in 2002.

7) Many may not know that Sports run in her family. Her father is a golfer and her mother is the winner of a Goodyear car rally. Also, her brother has represented the Delhi state in Under−17 and Under-19 cricket. Her Uncle is a former cricketer while her maternal grandfather was an athlete and later a cricket commentator.

8) Anjum is the first woman cricketer from India to be awarded an honorary life membership of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC).

9) Anjum is a feminist. She has participated in many events to promote women in games. And has acted in a docudrama, "Poor Cousins of Million Dollar Babies”, a film that talks about how the girls are very happy playing the sport and enjoy the camaraderie despite the disparities between men's and women's cricket. She was a participant at Fear Factor 'Khatron ke Khiladi' Season 4 which aired on the Colors channel. To promote the game, she has also walked the ramp with leading names of the fashion industry.

10) Anjum is the recipient of India's fourth highest civilian honour Padma Shri awarded to her in 2014. The government of India also awarded her the Arjuna Award in 2007 for her outstanding achievement in sports.

Anjum is an inspiration to all the girls. Especially the young ones who aspire to pursue a career in sports but are not given equal opportunities, given the gender disparity that exists in our society.

SheThePeople team wishes Anjum a very happy 41st birthday!

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Malvika Bansal is an intern with SheThePeople.Tv