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HYDERABAD: The 1990s and the first decade of the 21st century saw a huge influx of software graduates into the USA. According to the Brookings Institution report, the Telugu states sent over 26,000 students between 2008 and 2012, most pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics or STEM fields. From a modest 87,543 in 2000, the Telugus number surged to 644,700 by 2020.
These Telugu speaking Indian Americans slowly but steadily not only conquered Silicon Valley but also started dominating the American landscape in various fields. They are now one of the largest groups of Indian Americans. After their exploits, it is the next generation Indian Americans, who are now competing with the mainstream and trying to ‘own’ the ethos. And what better way to do it than using cricket as a soft power to make inroads into the American sporting arena. The Team USA cricket board has a sub-continent flavour to it with most of the members being immigrants.
Their parents had come to make a fortune for themselves in America but for the Team USA U-19 women cricketers the quest is entirely different. These girls are out to pioneer the game in the not-so-cricket-friendly nation. Breaking new ground, the Geetika Kodali-led USA side will take part in the inaugural ICC U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa next month. The team is coached by West Indian great Shivnarine Chanderpaul.
The 15-member squad resembles an ‘Indian’ cricket team, and it has set the social media on fire. One person tweeted: “USA Cricket team or India B team??” Another one commented: “The USA women’s cricket team is a more diverse representation of India than the Indian women’s cricket team.”
Six of the players are Telugu girls. Apart from the captain, the other Telugu girls are Anika Reddy Kolan (vice-captain), Bhumika Bhadriraju, Laasya Priya Mullapudi and Sai Tanmayi Eyyunni. Kasturi Vedantham has been named among the five reserve players.
Skipper Geetika started playing at the age of 11 with friends and relatives before beginning her formal training when she was 15 at the Cricket Zeal Academy in California. She has represented the San Ramon Cricket Association and Triangle Cricket League. Allrounder ‘Geetu’ or ‘Geets’ likes cricket as in many ways one can contribute to a team. The camaraderie among individuals creates a greater bonding via a shared passion for the game.
The motivational factor in the 18-year-old Geetika’s life are her parents, who have encouraged her to be the best person she can be in all spheres of life, and the cricketers around her who keep her on her toes as she enjoys competing with them.
Vice-captain Anika discovered her passion for the game when she was nine in the family garage, which soon became ‘Niks’ Eden Gardens. Her father and brother became curators, coaches and equipment providers. The wicketkeeper/batter likes to bat at the top and has represented San Ramon Cricket Academy and Major League Cricket Academy in USA domestic cricket. The 16-year-old Niks’ most cherished moment was when she struck her first half-century on Indian soil at the Karnataka Institute of Cricket in Bengaluru.
The 17-year-old Laasya’s cricket journey began five years ago. Her dream of playing for Team USA spurred her to hone her skills at the California Cricket Academy.
“After a brilliant tour of Dubai, we are focusing on final preparations for this historic World Cup for the players and for the USA. We showed throughout the year the kind of cricket that we can play. World Cups are incredibly special and we are really looking forward to representing the country on this fantastic platform,” said Shivnarine Chanderpaul, USA Women’s head coach.
“This World Cup is the realization of a dream for these young players who will get the honor of being the first female cricketers to ever represent the USA at any Cricket World Cup. Our squad represents a new generation of American cricketers and we’re most excited to see them display their brand of cricket as rising stars announcing themselves on the World stage,” stated Nadia Gruny, USA Cricket Board member and women and girls committee chair.
“There were some tough choices to be made in selecting the final 15 players, but this speaks volumes about the depth that we’ve developed within the women and girls’ game in the United States over the past two years. We are really looking forward to everyone representing the country to the best of their abilities in South Africa,” said Ritesh Kadu, interim chair of the USA Women’s national selection panel.
These Telugu speaking Indian Americans slowly but steadily not only conquered Silicon Valley but also started dominating the American landscape in various fields. They are now one of the largest groups of Indian Americans. After their exploits, it is the next generation Indian Americans, who are now competing with the mainstream and trying to ‘own’ the ethos. And what better way to do it than using cricket as a soft power to make inroads into the American sporting arena. The Team USA cricket board has a sub-continent flavour to it with most of the members being immigrants.
Their parents had come to make a fortune for themselves in America but for the Team USA U-19 women cricketers the quest is entirely different. These girls are out to pioneer the game in the not-so-cricket-friendly nation. Breaking new ground, the Geetika Kodali-led USA side will take part in the inaugural ICC U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa next month. The team is coached by West Indian great Shivnarine Chanderpaul.
The 15-member squad resembles an ‘Indian’ cricket team, and it has set the social media on fire. One person tweeted: “USA Cricket team or India B team??” Another one commented: “The USA women’s cricket team is a more diverse representation of India than the Indian women’s cricket team.”
Six of the players are Telugu girls. Apart from the captain, the other Telugu girls are Anika Reddy Kolan (vice-captain), Bhumika Bhadriraju, Laasya Priya Mullapudi and Sai Tanmayi Eyyunni. Kasturi Vedantham has been named among the five reserve players.
Skipper Geetika started playing at the age of 11 with friends and relatives before beginning her formal training when she was 15 at the Cricket Zeal Academy in California. She has represented the San Ramon Cricket Association and Triangle Cricket League. Allrounder ‘Geetu’ or ‘Geets’ likes cricket as in many ways one can contribute to a team. The camaraderie among individuals creates a greater bonding via a shared passion for the game.
The motivational factor in the 18-year-old Geetika’s life are her parents, who have encouraged her to be the best person she can be in all spheres of life, and the cricketers around her who keep her on her toes as she enjoys competing with them.
Vice-captain Anika discovered her passion for the game when she was nine in the family garage, which soon became ‘Niks’ Eden Gardens. Her father and brother became curators, coaches and equipment providers. The wicketkeeper/batter likes to bat at the top and has represented San Ramon Cricket Academy and Major League Cricket Academy in USA domestic cricket. The 16-year-old Niks’ most cherished moment was when she struck her first half-century on Indian soil at the Karnataka Institute of Cricket in Bengaluru.
The 17-year-old Laasya’s cricket journey began five years ago. Her dream of playing for Team USA spurred her to hone her skills at the California Cricket Academy.
“After a brilliant tour of Dubai, we are focusing on final preparations for this historic World Cup for the players and for the USA. We showed throughout the year the kind of cricket that we can play. World Cups are incredibly special and we are really looking forward to representing the country on this fantastic platform,” said Shivnarine Chanderpaul, USA Women’s head coach.
“This World Cup is the realization of a dream for these young players who will get the honor of being the first female cricketers to ever represent the USA at any Cricket World Cup. Our squad represents a new generation of American cricketers and we’re most excited to see them display their brand of cricket as rising stars announcing themselves on the World stage,” stated Nadia Gruny, USA Cricket Board member and women and girls committee chair.
“There were some tough choices to be made in selecting the final 15 players, but this speaks volumes about the depth that we’ve developed within the women and girls’ game in the United States over the past two years. We are really looking forward to everyone representing the country to the best of their abilities in South Africa,” said Ritesh Kadu, interim chair of the USA Women’s national selection panel.
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