Chaya Mughal was astonished when she first witnessed a young girl display exceptional aggression while bowling at Dubai’s ICC Cricket Academy. Mahika Gaur, the girl in question, was determined to bowl fast, delivering hard pitches and challenging batters during that net session. Mughal, a former India domestic player turned Women’s Development Cricket Officer at the Emirates Cricket Board post-retirement, had seen numerous cricketers in her career. However, she had rarely encountered someone so young with such a fast bowling style.
Mahika was swiftly promoted to the UAE senior team, making her international debut on January 19, 2019, just before her 13th birthday. Her impressive fast bowling skills soon attracted the attention of the England national selectors, her country of birth. Last year, after representing the UAE in 19 T20Is, Mahika made headlines when England selected her for a bilateral series against Sri Lanka. The six-foot-four pacer was poised to lead England’s attack in the 2024 T20 World Cup in the UAE, where she began her international career at 12. However, a side strain sidelined her, allowing her to focus on completing her school exams in England.
Although the injury prevented her from making her World Cup debut, Mahika returned to Dubai, where her parents reside. The England cricket board brought her to the UAE to train with their World Cup team, aiming to break Australia’s dominance in the global tournament. In an interview with Khaleej Times, Mahika discussed her passion for fast bowling and the role the UAE played in her cricketing journey.
Mahika expressed her disappointment at missing the World Cup but understood the situation, considering her limited play that summer. She was thrilled about her first England call-up, which happened shortly after moving back from Dubai. Playing for England brought a significant change, exposing her to a highly professional environment. Mahika’s interest in fast bowling stemmed from her father, a left-arm fast bowler, and her admiration for cricketers like Mitchell Starc and Jimmy Anderson.
Mahika credits the UAE’s cricket system for nurturing her talent, allowing her to gain international experience at a young age. She attended Dubai College, where she played cricket with boys, which she believes significantly improved her skills. Now living in England, Mahika misses her family, home-cooked food, and Dubai’s warm weather.
Her ambition is to continuously improve and become a top-tier bowler for England in the coming years.
