Hafsah Khanday: The Rising Star from a Remote Village in J&K

 Jammu: At just 14 years old, Hafsah Khanday, a right-arm medium-fast all-rounder from Gadi, a remote village in the erstwhile Doda district of Jammu & Kashmir, is making waves in the School National Under-19 Women’s Tournament 2025,being held at the BN Cricket Academy Ground, Udaipur (Rajasthan). Standing at 5'9", she generates extra bounce and pace, making life difficult for opposition batters. In J&K’s 51-run victory against IPSC (Indian Public School Conference), Hafsah delivered a match-winning performance, picking up 3 wickets for just 12 runs in 3 overs, while also contributing 14 runs with the bat.

Hafsah’s journey has been anything but easy. A 9th-grade student, she has overcome several challenges to pursue her passion for cricket. Growing up in a remote village with limited facilities, she relied on her determination and the unwavering support of her parents to continue her training. Despite the hardships, she has already started making a mark in the domestic circuit and has set her sights on representing India’s Under-19 Women’s World Cup team in the near future, with her ultimate dream being to play for the Indian Women’s National Team.

Her impact in the match against IPSC was remarkable. With the ball, she rattled the opposition, dismissing three key batters cheaply while maintaining an economy rate of just 3.33 runs per over. Her aggressive short-pitched deliveries and raw pace made scoring difficult for the batters. She also played a crucial role with the bat, remaining unbeaten on 14 runs off 33 balls, helping Jammu & Kashmir post a competitive total.

“I am grateful to my parents for their continuous support. Coming from a small village, I never imagined I would get such opportunities. My dream is to wear the India jersey one day, and I am working hard to make it happen,” Hafsah said after receiving the Player of the Match award.

With her raw talent, natural pace, and fearless attitude, Hafsah Khanday is proving to be a future star in Indian women’s cricket. As Jammu & Kashmir prepares for their quarter-final clash against Madhya Pradesh on February 1, all eyes will be on Hafsah, who continues to rise through the ranks, defying all odds.

The School National Under-19 Women’s Tournament final is set to be played on February 3, and if Hafsah maintains her current form, she could be a key player in leading Jammu & Kashmir to glory.