Archana Das made her international debut againstWest Indies in early February this year following strong performances in thedomestic tournaments. Ever since she made her first appearance for India atBasseterre, the 24-year-oldoff-spinner has gone fromstrength-to-strength before finding a place in the team for the forthcoming Twenty20World Cup in Sri Lanka. ``It is a huge morale boost to my career,'' said Archana.
Born in Kolkata but she learned her cricket here. Archana represented Hyderabad in under-16,under-19 and the senior women's team before migrating back to Kolakata. Butthis city remains close to her heart. She is superstition too. She would behere before any big tournament and practice at Sai Baba Coaching Foundation atMasab Tank. ``I make it a point to practice here,'' said Archana before leavingfor the World Cup camp at Bangalore.
Archana had passion for the game from a young age.Accompanying her father, she religiously practiced at Gymkhana for long hours.``I liked this game. Somehow I was born to play cricket,'' said Archana.
Seeing her daughter's interest, father Probhir, a small timebusinessman, provided the necessary support. ``There was lot of sacrifices doneby my parents. Their sustained support has helped me to evolve as acricketer,'' said Archana, who has also not forget the services of coach Sai Babaor the Hyderabad coaches.
This spirited cricketer took to off-spin as a challenge.``It is always a challenge to beat a batter in the air. But then a spinner hasto plan his or her dismissal. With the advent of T20, the spinner has to bemore intelligent and vary the line and length,'' said Archana.
This World Cup, according to Archana, would be a greatopportunity. ``We have the big two teams, England and Australia, in our pool.We have to perform very well. I'm aware of my role as spinners play a key roleon sub-continent wickets,'' she said, adding, ``I complement with GouharSultana (left-arm spinner). She is an experienced bowler.''
Archana excelled in England where India lost 2-3 in tightlycontested one-day series and she returned with four wickets at Lord's. ``Ithink it was one of the best performances by an Indian team.
I had a very goodseries and I took four wickets at Lord's, the Mecca of world cricket. Englandare the number one ranked team in the world. I took the wickets of top order batswomen. It was one of the best moments of my careerso far. I rued missing a five-wicket haul,'' she said.
The off-spinner, who is also a competent batswoman and isone of the top order batter for Bengal, said given the opportunity, she would like to contribute with the bat alsofor the Indian team.
``There are better batswomen than me. My job is to takewickets and at the same time do the containment role. I want to cement my placein the coming World Cup,'' she said. Archana has 13 wickets from nineone-dayers and six from 12 T20 matches.
Archana said she was always admired Mithali Raj as captainand as a batswoman.
``Mithali is a fine, forceful batsman. She has a rock-solidtechnique and an inspiration to many young cricketers. So is Jhulan Goswami(medium pacer),'' she concluded.
