Who Is Shireen Vijay Limaye? Indian Women's Basketball Team Captain

Indian women have been making a significant mark in basketball in recent years. From dominating as a national team to carving their niche in international leagues, they are showcasing their talent and determination on the court.

One such standout player from the Indian Women's Basketball team is its captain Shireen Limaye. Shireen Limaye is a triple-threat athlete of the country with the only player to have represented India in the Commonwealth Games in 2018 in two sports when she played basketball and netball. She is a multiple sports-playing athlete and one of the most accomplished basketball players in the country.

Who Is Shireen Vijay Limaye? 

Hailing from a family of sportspersons in Pune, Maharashtra, with both her parents and siblings playing various sports at the national level, the 27-year-old Shireen Limaye is a less-recognised name in Indian sports despite her commendable achievements at a very young age. Limaye has come a long way from playing basketball for the women's railways team to leading the national team of the country at international platforms. Limaye, who started playing at the young age of 5, rose to the ranks rapidly amid India's growing basketball scene. 

Limaye is the only player to represent India in two sports and was also ranked as the top 2nd snooker player in under-21 in the country. In 2011, she made her debut in the senior national basketball team and soon took the mantle of the captaincy of the team. 

Limaye plays multiple sports like netball, snooker and basketball, and can even roller skate and swim but did not pursue swimming as a sport like her father. In an interview with Sportskeeda, Limaye also shared she had learnt Kathak for a year and secured an A+ grade, however, when her Guru asked her to choose between Kathak and basketball, she chose basketball. 

She took inspiration from her mother who was a national level player and is now a basketball coach at PYC Gymkhana in Pune. The Indian captain has played basketball in many significant championships including the FIBA Women's Asia Cup, Asian Games, Asian Beach Games, Commonwealth, etc.

Limaye is one of the rising stars of the country and a motivation for young girls who wish to pursue sports despite societal conventions.