NEW DELHI: Cricket prowess runs deep in the veins of Fatima Jaffer, but this young Mumbai Indians player has chosen to carve her own unique path, defying the family tradition dominated by batting.
The niece of former India and Mumbai batting stalwart Wasim Jaffer, Fatima has embraced bowling, albeit in a distinctive manner.
Standing out as one of the rare ambidextrous bowlers in the Indian domestic circuit, Fatima possesses the ability to seamlessly transition between right-arm medium pace and left-arm spin, offering a versatile skill set to her team.
However, her journey towards becoming an ambidextrous bowler stemmed from an unexpected turn of events.
Recalling the pivotal moment, Fatima revealed, "I got into the Mumbai side as a right-arm pacer. But in the first match that I played, three of our spinners got called for chucking." This unforeseen circumstance prompted her coach to explore an alternative, leading to a revelation for Fatima.
"My then coach knew that I used to practice left-arm spin, not as a profession, just for fun. So, he came up to me and asked me if I could bowl it in the match," she recounted. Embracing the challenge, Fatima made an immediate impact, claiming three wickets in her maiden outing as a left-arm spinner, followed by a stellar five-wicket haul in the subsequent game.
Despite her natural talent, mastering the art of ambidextrous bowling requires rigorous training and dedication.
"It takes a lot of practice. There's no real control in your left hand," Fatima admitted, acknowledging the ongoing effort required to refine her unique skill set.
Reflecting on her journey, Fatima credited her father, Kaleem Jaffer, a respected coach in Mumbai cricketing circles, for instilling a passion for the sport from a young age. "I was around seven or eight when I first started to play cricket. It was my father's decision. He asked me to play cricket because he wanted one of the girls from the family to play cricket," she disclosed.
The constant support and guidance from her father, both as a coach and a parent, have played a pivotal role in Fatima's development as a cricketer. "He never stopped me from doing anything. He always encouraged me to play cricket. Even when I'm not doing well, he comes up to me and encourages me," she expressed, highlighting the seamless blend of familial and coaching roles embodied by her father.
(With inputs from PTI)
