Hope Kareta: 12-year-old prodigy of Indian origin scores century and takes fifer for boys' team in Australia
12-year old Hope Kareta, who picked up a bat first in January 2015, is the latest teenage sensation on the Australian cricket circuit. The remote Melbourne suburb which has previously provided Australia with Peter Siddle, James Pattinson and Cameron White has now thrown up this prodigous talent – whose 4-month long cricket career has been as close as real life can get to farytale.
When Hope's younger brother's team, Dandenong West under-13s, realised they were short of players before the district championships earlier this year, Hope was drafted in – not without some initial hesitation.
“The boys were kind to me but it was quite scary in the beginning, but then I picked up how to middle the faster deliveries," Hope told the BBC's Hindi Service.
Barely one month after first picking up a bat, the only girl to be playing in a boys’ team at any age-level hit her first century – her 100 not out coming from 87 balls, with 15 fours, against Hampton Cricket Club.
"I am enjoying it now. My dream is to play for the Australian women's cricket team one day”, says the 12-year-old who idolises Michael Clarke.
Hope has sound technique and loves to play straight: Coach
Jason Goodes, the coach of the Dandenong boys under-13 team, is full of praise for his find.
“For someone who hasn't played cricket before, to score a hundred at this level is amazing. In fact, she scored it in her 7th game of the season. I have seen many boys do it but not the girls at this level."
Saying her sound technique sets her apart from the rest, he says, “She loves to play straight and plays in the V."
Want to make both India and Australia proud: Hope
Yuvraj Ghaleed, Hope’s father and former rugby player, was born to an Indian father and a Maori mother in New Zealand.
"I always dreamt of Hope making it big in athletics and especially long-distance running," says Yuvraj. "But looking at what she has achieved in just over two months I had better support her by getting the best cricket coaching for her."
Despite harbouring ambitions of being a batsman, Hope’s all-round abilities have also started to come to the fore – she took her first five-wicket haul in March.
Hope says she is proud of her Rajasthani roots, and that she supported the Indian team in the World Cup – till the semi final, when they crossed paths with Australia.
"Some day I can make both India and Australia proud”, says Hope – a hard-worker who does not fear shouldering the amount of hope her prodigous career has inspired.