Jintimani Kalita Makes Historic India Debut in Women's ODI

A Dream Realized for Jintimani Kalita

Guwahati, Oct 24: Jintimani Kalita has always held onto the belief that her moment would eventually arrive. Whether participating in inter-district competitions, domestic matches, or casual games, the cricketer from Assam remained dedicated, patiently awaiting the chance she had tirelessly prepared for over the years.

That moment came on Friday.

The 22-year-old allrounder, known for her medium pace, made her senior debut for India against Zimbabwe during the first women's ODI held in Vadodara. With this achievement, she became the second woman from Assam, following Uma Chetry, to represent India at the senior level.

In total, Jintimani is the third cricketer from Assam to don the national colors, with Riyan Parag being the only male cricketer from the state to have reached this milestone.

“Playing for India has been my dream for a long time,” Jintimani expressed in an interview a few months back.

Following Uma's debut in 2024, expectations surrounding Jintimani began to rise.

“After Uma represented India, people started to have higher expectations of me. However, I view these expectations as motivation rather than pressure,” she stated.

During her debut match, Jintimani bowled five overs, allowing 23 runs, and faced a bit of misfortune when a catch was dropped in her first over.

She had come close to debuting earlier, being part of the Indian squad for the T20 series against Zimbabwe, but did not make it to the playing XI. For the ODI series, she was called up last minute to replace veteran pacer Renuka Singh Thakur.

Her path to the international arena has been shaped by Assam's district and state youth programs. She has represented the East Zone, participated in the India Under-19 Challenger Trophy, and played for India A in matches against England and Australia A.

However, her cricketing journey began much earlier.

In 2016, at the age of 12, Jintimani would accompany her brother to a cricket ground in Mangaldai. Coaches recognized her enthusiasm for the sport, particularly her eagerness to hold and throw the ball, and eventually allowed her to play.

Ranjan Kumar Ramchiary, one of her childhood coaches, recalls those formative days.

“This is a significant moment for us. Jinti's debut for India fills us with immense pride,” Ramchiary remarked.

Having represented Assam during his playing career, Ramchiary noted that there were no separate girls' teams in Mangaldai at that time, so Jintimani played alongside boys.

“That’s how it all began, and it’s incredibly fulfilling to witness her progress,” he added.

Mridul Tamuli, another coach, played a crucial role in her development.

Rajib Rajbonshi, who has observed Jintimani's growth, remembers her as an aggressive player.

“Her aggressive approach to the game has always stood out, which is vital. I knew she would achieve great things for herself and her team,” Rajbonshi commented.

“I’m thrilled to see her in the India colors today. It’s her first match, and naturally, she will feel some nerves since international cricket is a different level compared to domestic play. With experience, she will improve further.”

Jintimani also made history in the Women’s Premier League, becoming the first player from Assam to be selected in the WPL auction in 2023, joining the Mumbai Indians at a base price of Rs 10 lakh, and later transferring to the Gujarat Giants in 2026.

From her early days of following her brother to a cricket ground in Mangaldai to representing India in Vadodara, Jintimani's journey has spanned a decade.

On Friday, her long-awaited moment finally arrived.