Pooja Vastrakar: The Rising Star of Indian Women’s Cricket

In the vibrant landscape of Indian cricket, Pooja Vastrakar has impressed everyone across Indian cricket with her achievements after starting from the sports fields in Shahdol, Madhya Pradesh. Thanks to her strong Pooja Vastrakar Bowling and batting, this cricketer has become an important player for the women’s team.

Pooja Vastrakar’s Story is one of courage, skill, and ambition as she rose to the top in a field where men are the majority. This article takes a close look at her life, her career, her Pooja Vastrakar Stats, and her progress toward becoming a star.

Pooja Vastrakar Biography: Age, Career, Records & Journey

Category	Details
Date of Birth	September 25, 1999
Place of Birth	Shahdol, Madhya Pradesh, India
Education	Gyanodya Higher Secondary School, Shahdol; no further details available
Associations	Indian Women’s Cricket Team, Madhya Pradesh, Mumbai Indians (WPL), Brisbane Heat Women, India Green Women, Supernovas
Age	25 (as of May 30, 2025)
Nicknames	Babulal, Babloo, Chhoti
Epithets	Chota Hardik Pandya
Prominent Achievements	ODI/T20I debut (2018), 2022 World Cup (156 runs, 10 wickets), WPL 2023 title with Mumbai Indians, BCCI Grade C contract
Height	5’6” (168 cm)
Hometown	Shahdol, Madhya Pradesh, India
Religion	Hinduism (worships Lord Ganesha)

Pooja Vastrakar: From Shahdol to Stardom

The history of Pooja Vastrakar biography starts in Shahdol, Madhya Pradesh, when she was born on September 25, 1999. Pooja Vastrakar age is 25 years as of 2024, she was just four years old when she first started playing cricket in 2006. When she was young, she faced numerous obstacles because her family wasn’t wealthy.

A few weeks after her mother’s death at the age of ten, Pooja put aside her cricket aspirations for a while. Yet, after being guided by her father, Bandhan Ram Vastrakar, an ex-employee of BSNL, and coach Ashutosh Shrivastava, she started training at the Gulmohar Cricket Academy again. Because she was the last of seven siblings—four sisters and two brothers—Pooja stood out with her resolve and love for cricket.

• Early Beginnings: Born on September 25, 1999, in Shahdol, Madhya Pradesh, Pooja Vastrakar age is 25 as of 2025.
• Family Background: The youngest of seven siblings (four sisters, two brothers), her father, Bandhan Ram Vastrakar, a retired BSNL employee, supported her cricketing dreams.
• Tragic Loss: At age 10, Pooja lost her mother, prompting a brief pause in her cricketing pursuits.
• Introduction to Cricket: Started playing at age four, initially with boys in Shahdol, as girls’ cricket was limited.
• Coaching and Mentorship: Trained under coaches Ashutosh Shrivastava and Sonu Robinson at Gulmohar Cricket Academy, transitioning from batter to all-rounder.
• Overcoming Stereotypes: Her tomboyish appearance led to speculation about Pooja Vastrakar Gender, but she proudly represents women in cricket.

Since girls’ cricket was not popular in Shahdol, Pooja first started as a batter along with boys in her neighborhood. As Pooja Vastrakar shone in net practice, her coach spotted her skill, and this is how she became a versatile cricketer for India.

Although people keep speculating about her gender due to her tough appearance, Pooja Vastrakar Cricketer, gladly identifies as a woman and is playing at a top level, helping to break stereotypes in cricket. Because Pooja Vastrakar height is tall for her age (at 5’7”) and she is physically active, her strong style of play makes her hard to challenge.

Also read about: Avinash Sable — the record-breaking steeplechase runner who turned army training into Olympic-level glory and inspired a nation.

Pooja Vastrakar Early Life and Rise in Cricket

Pooja started her career by joining games with boys, as Shahdol didn’t have many women playing cricket. When she played for the Madhya Pradesh women’s team in 2013 against Odisha in a Twenty20 match, her skills were immediately clear. When she was only 15 years old, she was chosen for the India Green Women Squad, showing how gifted she was.

But then in 2016, she hurt her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) while playing and had to have surgery performed at Kokilaben Hospital in Mumbai. This injury almost stopped her from joining the national team, but hard work and expert therapy helped her get back in shape in Bangalore.

• First Steps in Cricket: Began playing with boys due to limited opportunities for girls in Shahdol.
• Domestic Debut: Made her Twenty20 debut for Madhya Pradesh against Odisha in 2013 at age 14.
• Early Recognition: Selected for the India Green Women Squad at 15, showcasing her prodigious talent.
• Injury Setback: Suffered an ACL injury in 2016, requiring surgery and rehabilitation, delaying her national call-up.
• Comeback: Returned stronger, earning a spot in the Indian team in 2018, a testament to her resilience.

Training by Ashutosh Shrivastava and Sonu Robinson turned Harleen Kaur from a batter into a bowling all-rounder. This flexibility in her game has made her an important member of Pooja Vastrakar Current teams, including the Indian women’s national team, Madhya Pradesh, and the Pooja Vastrakar IPL team, Mumbai Indians, in the Women’s Premier League (WPL).

Pooja Vastrakar Personal Life

Although Pooja Vastrakar is focused on her cricketing career, she is not currently in a relationship or married, up until now. After her mother passed away, her father’s support meant a lot to her. Even though people are interested in Pooja Vastrakar’s gender because of her athletic frame and boyish attitude, she is proud to be known as a female cricketer and deals with the interest kindly. The actress prefers to keep the news of her Pooja Vastrakar Cast out of the public realm.

• Family Support: Father Bandhan Ram Vastrakar has been a pillar, especially after her mother’s passing.
• Pooja Vastrakar Husband: Currently single, with no public information about a partner, focusing on her career.
• Pooja Vastrakar Cast: Not publicly disclosed, as she prioritizes her achievements over personal details.
• Hobbies: Enjoys spending time with family and teammates, maintaining a low-key personal life.
• Challenges: Overcame the emotional loss of her mother and physical setbacks from injuries.

Pooja Vastrakar Instagram and Public Presence

Her Instagram page, @poojavastrakar, lets users see what training and competitive moments look like in her life. Sometimes, it’s her posts, including the 2024 Instagram story that mocked officials (been deleted), that have made people pay attention. Usually, her photos and images highlight her skills and team bonding in the field. She is getting more famous on social media, but she continues to concentrate on playing well.

• Social Media: Active on Pooja Vastrakar Instagram (@poojavastrakar), sharing training, match, and personal moments.
• Controversy: Posted a now-deleted Instagram story in 2024 mocking political figures, sparking brief attention.
• Pooja Vastrakar Images/Photos: Frequently seen in action shots, showcasing her intensity and team spirit.
• Engagement: Uses social media to connect with fans, reflecting her growing popularity.

Pooja Vastrakar Height and Physicality

• Pooja Vastrakar Height: Approximately 5’7” (170 cm), giving her an edge in pace bowling and fielding.
• Athletic Build: Her muscular physique contributes to her bowling speed and batting power.
• Gender Speculation: Her tomboyish appearance has led to Pooja Vastrakar gender queries, which she addresses by embracing her identity as a female cricketer.

Pooja Vastrakar Stats

As an all-rounder, Pooja Vastrakar’s stats are proving that her influence is increasing. She has played 2 Test matches and taken 5 wickets, for an average of 23.00, with her top performance being 3/49. Swing, seam, and pace are what define Pooja Vastrakar bowling, and Pooja Vastrakar fastest ball clocking speeds between 105-110 kmph.

In 25 ODI appearances, she has taken 20 wickets at an average of 37.80, recorded her best as 4 for 34, and has made 313 runs, achieving a highest score of 50. She has played in 47 T20Is, picked up 26 wickets while averaging 28.0,0, and scored 157 runs.

In the 2022 Women’s Cricket World Cup, she played beautifully by scoring 156 runs, averaging 26.00 and taking 10 wickets at 18.30, followed by a key 67-run match against Pakistan in a partnership with the lower order. Her versatility, including strong results with both bat and ball, as shown in posts on X, proves just how valuable she is with a strike rate of over 100 and an economical rate of 4.44 while bowling in the tournament.

• Test Cricket:
  • Matches: 2
  • Wickets: 5 (Average: 23.00, Best: 3/49)
  • Runs: 39
• ODI Cricket:
  • Matches: 25
  • Wickets: 20 (Average: 37.80, Best: 4/34)
  • Runs: 313 (including one fifty)
• T20I Cricket:
  • Matches: 47
  • Wickets: 26 (Average: 28.00)
  • Runs: 157
• Standout Performance: In the 2022 Women’s Cricket World Cup, scored 156 runs (Average: 26.00) and took 10 wickets (Average: 18.30), including a vital 67 against Pakistan.
• Pooja Vastrakar Fastest Ball: Clocks speeds between 105-110 kmph, occasionally reaching 125 kmph, making her one of India’s fastest female bowlers.

Pooja Vastrakar Batting

While Pooja Vastrakar batting initially took a backseat to her bowling Pooja Vastrakar bowling used to get most attention, but we’ve started to see her perform strongly with the bat in recent years. In her second One Day International in 2018, hitting 51 off 56 deliveries against Australia confirmed her batting skills. In the following game, she showed that she could control or boost innings with 30 off 33 balls. The 67 runs she scored against Pakistan in the 2022 World Cup proved she could fight for her team under pressure. Taking after Virender Sehwag, she hits with aggression and chooses her shots carefully, which has made her valuable in one-day games.

• Batting Style: Right-handed, inspired by Virender Sehwag, blending aggression with smart shot selection.
• Key Performances:
  • Scored 51 off 56 balls in her second ODI against Australia in 2018.
  • Notched 30 off 33 balls in the next match, showcasing her ability to stabilize innings.
  • Hit 67 in the 2022 World Cup against Pakistan, crucial in a lower-order partnership.
• Role: Often bats in the lower order, providing quick runs or stabilizing innings under pressure.
• Strike Rate: Maintains a T20I batting strike rate over 100, reflecting her attacking approach.

Pooja Vastrakar Bowling

The Pooja Vastrakar bowling arsenal includes Swing, seam, yorkers, and bouncers, inspired by her idol, Jhulan Goswami. Well known for her bat-producing efforts on the field, she has turned from a middle-overs bowler into a regular early bowler since 2023. Ramana’s fast deliveries, often at 105-110 kmph, show she is among the quickest women bowlers in India. Clues to how she performs under pressure can be seen from her time in the WPL for Mumbai Indians, as her steady spells against Australia in 2023 prove. Her bowling variations and electric fielding make her a complete package for Pooja Vastrakar current team.

• Bowling Style: Right-arm medium-fast, known for swing, seam, yorkers, and bouncers.
• Inspiration: Draws from idol Jhulan Goswami, evolving into a new-ball threat since 2023.
• Key Achievements:
  • Took 4/34 in ODIs, her best bowling figures.
  • Delivered economical spells in the WPL, including against Australia in 2023.
• Strengths: Generates movement off the pitch, with Pooja Vastrakar fastest ball speeds making her a formidable pacer.
• Fielding: Electric on the field, adding value beyond her bowling.

Pooja Vastrakar IPL Team

During the Women’s Premier League, Pooja Vastrakar IPL team Mumbai Indians, has depended greatly on her all-around talent. Sold for INR 1.9 crore in the first auction and playing in 2025, she has helped the team with both bowling and fielding. Her strong bowling and useful runs have played a key role in the Mumbai Indians claiming the WPL title this year. Being in the pace department next to Natalie Sciver-Brunt shows how important Hayley is to the squad.

• Team: Pooja Vastrakar IPL team is the Mumbai Indians in the Women’s Premier League (WPL).
• Acquisition: Bought for INR 1.9 crore in the inaugural WPL auction, retained for 2025.
• Contributions:
  • Played a pivotal role in the Mumbai Indians’ 2023 WPL title win.
  • Delivered tight bowling spells and handy lower-order runs.
• Teammates: Compliments international stars like Natalie Sciver-Brunt in the pace attack.

Pooja Vastrakar Current Teams and Domestic Career

Beyond the international stage, Pooja Vastrakar current teams include Madhya Pradesh in domestic cricket, where she has played for Shahdol and Rewa divisions, and various representative sides like India Green Women, India B Women, and Supernovas in the Women’s T20 Challenge. She made her domestic debut in 2013 and kept performing well to join the Indian team in 2018. She also played for Brisbane Heat Women in Australia, where she got very important experience abroad.

• National Team: Represents India in Tests, ODIs, and T20Is.
• Domestic Teams:
  • Madhya Pradesh (Shahdol and Rewa divisions).
  • India Green Women, India B Women, and Supernovas (Women’s T20 Challenge).
• Overseas Experience: Played for Brisbane Heat Women in Australia, gaining valuable exposure.
• Role: All-rounder, contributing with bat, ball, and fielding across formats.

Challenges and Comebacks

She has encountered many difficulties in her profession. A torn ACL in 2016 meant she missed most of that season, and an injury sustained during the ICC Women’s World T20 warm-up match in 2018 kept her from the tournament. Even though she faced some problems, she has come back strongly, with impressive performances in last year’s World Cup and Women’s Premier League games. Being able to conquer hardship, with support from her coaches and family, has become a central theme in her Pooja Vastrakar biography.

• Injuries:
  • 2016 ACL injury sidelined her for nearly a year, requiring surgery and extensive rehab.
  • 2018 injury during the ICC Women’s World T20 warm-up ruled her out of the tournament.
• Resilience: Returned stronger each time, with standout performances in the 2022 World Cup and WPL.
• Mental Fortitude: Overcame personal loss and societal barriers in a small town with limited women’s cricket infrastructure.

Achievements and Recognition

• International Debut: Made her ODI and T20I debuts in 2018 against Australia and South Africa, respectively.
• World Cup Impact: Starred in the 2022 Women’s Cricket World Cup with bat and ball.
• Awards: Holds a BCCI Grade C contract (INR 10 lakhs annually), with match fees of INR 15 lakhs (Tests), INR 6 lakhs (ODIs), and INR 3 lakhs (T20Is).
• Net Worth: Estimated at INR 2.5 crores, reflecting her WPL earnings and BCCI contracts.

Future Prospects

• Leadership Potential: Compared to a “Chota Hardik Pandya” for her all-around skills, poised to lead India’s pace attack post-Jhulan Goswami.
• Upcoming Tournaments: Expected to shine in the 2025 WPL and international series, enhancing Pooja Vastrakar Stats.
• Inspiration: Her journey from Shahdol to the global stage inspires young girls in India to pursue cricket.
• Legacy: Aims to elevate women’s cricket in India, breaking stereotypes and encouraging participation.

Legacy and Future Prospects

At just 25, Pooja Vastrakar age proves she is more experienced than one might expect. With a BCCI Grade C contract, which means INR 10 lakhs per year, Test match fees of INR 15 lakhs, ODI fees of INR 6 lakh, and T20I fees of INR 3 lakhs, her net worth is predicted to be INR 2.5 crores. In contrast to someone like Chota Hardik Pandya, Deepti’s impact as an all-rounder is likely to ensure India has a leader when seniors like Jhulan Goswami retire. Thanks to the upcoming 2025 WPL and upcoming international matches, Pooja is set to boost her stats and secure her name.

All in all, Pooja Vastrakar (Cricket) shows that being versatile and strong-willed is really possible. Many young Indian women cricketers look up to Pooja Vastrakar after watching her succeed from regional cricket to the international arena with her awesome batting and bowling. Since she is playing with credit for Pooja Vastrakar IPL team, Mumbai Indians, and the national side, people witness how grit, talent, and overcoming struggles are reflected in her life.

Conclusion

Pooja Vastrakar reflects the positive changes in Indian women’s cricket. Pooja Vastrakar’s biography shows her playing career started with loss and struggles, but led her to play for the Mumbai Indians and India. Pooja Vastrakar uses her bat and her ball very well, which is clear to see in her Pooja Vastrakar photos. While sharing her life on Pooja Vastrakar Instagram, she encourages many young athletes by showing that talent and commitment can overcome any obstacle.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Sources of this Article – Wikipedia, Olympics.com