Fri Jan 10 07:20:00 UTC 2025: ## Young Cricketer Saiyali Sathare Makes International Debut for India
**Rajkot, India** – Saiyali Sathare made her highly anticipated debut for the Indian women’s cricket team today in the first One Day International (ODI) against Ireland at the Nirjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot. The emotional moment saw her receive her cap from Indian captain Smriti Mandhana, bringing tears to her parents’ eyes who were present in the stadium.
Sathare’s mother, Swati Sathare, shared her daughter’s journey, highlighting her 14-15 years of dedication to the sport. Inspired by India’s 2011 World Cup victory, Saiyali has relentlessly pursued her dream of playing for India, maintaining a strict regimen of training, diet, and academics (she holds a B.Com degree). Her mother expressed immense pride and hope that Saiyali will lead India to another World Cup triumph. Saiyali’s impressive domestic career, including her captaincy of the Mumbai team and outstanding bowling figures (5 wickets for 19 runs against Gujarat and 7 wickets for 17 runs against Nagaland), paved the way for her international call-up.
The match marked a historic occasion for Rajkot’s Nirjan Shah Stadium, hosting its first-ever women’s cricket match. To celebrate this milestone and encourage women’s participation, free entry was offered to spectators, resulting in a crowd of over 5000, including numerous students from local schools and colleges. The enthusiastic crowd cheered on the Indian team with chants of “Go Go Women in Blue, We Are Proud of You”. One spectator, Anmol Sejpal, expressed her excitement at witnessing the match and supporting the Indian team at the stadium for the first time.
The Indian team’s playing XI featured Smriti Mandhana (captain), Pratika Rawal, Harleen Deol, Jemimah Rodrigues, Tejal Hasabnis, Richa Ghosh (wicketkeeper), Deepti Sharma (vice-captain), Saiyali Sathare, Saima Thakur, Priya Mishra, and Titas Sadhu. Ireland’s playing XI consisted of Gaby Lewis (captain), Sarah Forbes, Anna Raymond, Orla Prendergast, Laura Delaney, Leah Paul, Amy Hunter (wicketkeeper), Arlene Kelly, Georgia Dempsey, Freya Sargent, and Amy Maguire.
First Piper 