A young cricketer Mehak Fathima from Kozhikode, Kerala is being appreciated by netizens for her sharp moves and batting skills after the video of the little champ went viral. The Indian Cricket team captain Mithali Raj and industrialist Anand Mahindra also took notice of the young talent and appreciated her.
Mehak Fathima is a 6-year-old and is a student of Class 1 in Thodannur MLP School. She started playing after watching her father teach cricket to her 3-year-old brother. Fathima started playing cricket eight months ago.
Mehak Fathima's uncle, Yousuf said in a statement, that Mehak was not interested in sports previously, but when she saw her father Muneer teaching her brother, she went up to him and asked if he wasn’t teaching her because she was a girl. Her father was shocked by her question and then realised she was also interested in playing cricket.
Fathima's father Muneer is a cricket player himself. He had played for the University of Calicut when he was just 13 years old. However, he had to leave cricket to pursue the family business. After he saw Mehak Fathima's interest in the sport, he started coaching her in November 2020 and in no time, she was able to hit the ball in all directions.
Mithali Raj also showed her support for the young talent and wrote, "She has both my support and blessings. All little girls keen to pursue the sport always have my blessings. Her parents can DM me regarding any assistance they need."
She has both my support and blessings . All little girls keen to pursue the sport always have my blessings. Her parents can DM me regarding any assistance they need .
— Mithali Raj (@M_Raj03) June 13, 2021
Anand Mahindra, the chairman of Mahindra Group, tagged the Union Sports and Youth Affairs Minister, Kiren Rijiju on Twitter as he shared the video of the young cricketer. He wrote in the caption, "I keep getting forwards about kids around the globe being prodigies in soccer or basketball. Ok world, here’s our future superstar. @KirenRijiju let’s keep an eye on this young lady & not let her talent be wasted..."
I keep getting forwards about kids around the globe being prodigies in soccer or basketball. Ok world, here’s our future superstar. @KirenRijiju let’s keep an eye on this young lady & not let her talent be wasted... https://t.co/3aSxDqOMmh
— anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) June 12, 2021