Rarely does a UAE player capture the spotlight in women's cricket globally. However, this was precisely the case when the skilled UAE spinner, Vaishnave Mahesh, was in action during the recent Asia Cup encounter against the formidable Indian team in Sri Lanka. Vaishnave, who once received accolades from the renowned Anil Kumble for clean bowling an opponent at the tender age of nine with her maiden delivery, noticed Indian batter Jemimah Rodrigues stepping out of her crease at the non-striker's end before she delivered the ball. According to the rules, the bowler is entitled to dismiss the non-striker for leaving the crease prematurely, although traditionalists argue that such dismissals contravene the spirit of the game. Instead of removing the bails, Vaishnave opted to caution the Indian player against repeating the error. Interestingly, the Indian team faced significant backlash for employing the same dismissal tactic against Charlie Dean of England in a one-day match in 2022. The Indian team asserted that Dean was warned beforehand, a statement refuted by the English contingent, leading to a heated exchange between the two teams. Two years on, Vaishnave could have found herself at the center of controversy had she taken the bails off. The 17-year-old asserts that she consistently warns batters, even in club matches, against leaving the crease early. "This reflects my character and my approach to cricket. However, it is crucial for the non-striker to stay in the crease, not only at international levels but also in club matches. I always make sure the non-striker does not leave early," Vaishnave explained to the Khaleej Times. "Regarding the contentious issue of the spirit of cricket, I'm uncertain if it's suitable to debate this under the spirit of cricket as it's explicitly outlined in the rules," she added. "I believe it will become standard for the non-striker to remain in the crease in the coming years. Nonetheless, I will continue to issue warnings before taking any action." The Asian Cricket Council subsequently posted a video on social media featuring Vaishnave engaging in a casual conversation about the incident with Jemimah. "Jemimah is a tremendous inspiration for aspiring cricketers, so it was an honor to interact with someone like her. She was very kind to spend time talking to me," Vaishnave remarked. "There were no challenges in discussing the matter with her. I think Jemi deserves all the credit for making the conversation smooth and productive." The UAE was defeated in all three of their Asia Cup matches, yet Vaishnave managed to make an impression against the powerful Indians with a frugal spell. "I dream of playing in the WPL (Women's Premier League in India) almost daily," she shared. "I'm hopeful of securing an opportunity, which I would regard as significant as an associate team player."
![UAE's Vaishnave Mahesh Shines in Asia Cup Clash Against India UAE's Vaishnave Mahesh Shines in Asia Cup Clash Against India](https://world-arabia.com/storage/images/news/crops/news-promo/QH4S3XEQ8UKXAFOzB1CNJb6HMnhRvsCeU3HlDfNZ.webp)
Text: Lara Palmer
24.07.2024
Young spinner Vaishnave Mahesh makes headlines with her conduct during Asia Cup match