Maya Sonawane

Maya Sonawane
Nationality: India
Position: Bowler
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Legbreak
Date of Birth: 1999-03-30 Age: 26

Bio

Career Stats

Fixtures

Teams

Born on 30 March 1999, Maya Sonawane first picked up a cricket ball in the dusty lanes of Pune, India, where her passion for the game ignited. Her early years were marked by playing with her older siblings in backyard games, where she would often outshine the boys with her unerring accuracy and spin. By the age of 10, her talent became evident, prompting her parents to enrol her in a local cricket academy. As she grew, so did her affinity for leg-spin—a craft she honed with relentless dedication.

Maya's cricketing journey took a serious turn when she was selected for her state team in the under-16 category. Her unorthodox legbreak deliveries, combined with a right-hand batting style that made her a valuable all-rounder, quickly garnered attention. Her professional debut came in 2017 during the Women's Senior T20 Challenge, where her guile and clever variations bamboozled seasoned batters, marking her as a bowler to watch out for.

Her rise continued as she represented India in the 2020 ICC Women's T20 World Cup, where she played a pivotal role in leading her team to the semi-finals. A standout performance against Australia in the group stage saw her claim a five-wicket haul, including the prized scalp of their captain, which became one of her career-defining moments. That match not only solidified her place in the team but also sparked a rivalry with the Australians that would follow her career.

Maya's playing style is a testament to her adaptive genius. Her legbreaks, often delivered with subtle variations in flight and bounce, have made her a formidable force in the bowling department. Moreover, her ability to hold her nerve in tight situations speaks volumes about her mental toughness. Off the field, she’s known for imparting knowledge to younger players, often seen mentoring budding cricketers at her home ground.

Despite being a bowler at heart, Maya's contributions with the bat cannot be underestimated. While her batting may not have reached the heights of her bowling prowess, a memorable innings in 2022 against England, where she played a crucial knock of 40 runs under pressure, showcased her all-round capabilities.

Maya Sonawane's journey is emblematic of determination meeting opportunity, marked by her innate ability to turn matches around and an ever-growing list of accomplishments. Her legacy is not just etched in records but also in the inspiration she provides to the next generation of cricketers.