Pooja Vastrakar Profile and Personal Life

Know the details about Pooja Vastrakar Profile and Personal Life, Pooja Vastrakar’s Top Records, Achievements, and Net Worth.

Pooja Vastrakar Profile and Personal Life

Indian cricket has been blessed with several talented women cricketers who have made a significant impact on the global stage. Among these rising stars, Pooja Vastrakar stands out as one of the most dynamic and versatile players in the current Indian women’s cricket setup. Known for her all-round skills, powerful hitting, and disciplined bowling, Pooja is often seen as a key player in the Indian team. However, her story goes beyond the cricketing field. Her personal life, challenges, and journey to the top are equally inspiring and worthy of attention.

Early Life and Background

Pooja Vastrakar was born on September 25, 1999, in the city of Shahdol, Madhya Pradesh, India. Shahdol is a relatively small town located in the eastern part of Madhya Pradesh, and it does not have the advanced infrastructure or exposure that big metropolitan cities offer, especially in terms of sports facilities. Despite these limitations, Pooja’s love for cricket flourished from a young age.

She grew up in a modest family, where cricket was not a commonly pursued career, especially for girls. Pooja’s early days were marked by her playing cricket with boys in her neighborhood, which laid the foundation for her aggressive and fearless style of play. She was often the only girl in those informal cricket matches, and her ability to compete against boys helped her develop her natural talent. Pooja’s passion for cricket was evident, and despite societal norms that discouraged women from playing sports, she remained undeterred in her pursuit of a cricket career.

Her father, a government employee, played a crucial role in supporting her dreams. After losing her mother at a young age, Pooja found solace in cricket, and her father’s encouragement gave her the strength to continue. She attended Saraswati Shishu Mandir, a school in Shahdol, but her primary focus was always on cricket. Her dedication paid off when she was selected for the Madhya Pradesh U-19 team at the age of 13.

Personal Life and Interests

While Pooja Vastrakar’s cricketing journey is well-documented, her personal life offers an equally inspiring story of resilience and determination. Coming from a small town with limited resources, Pooja’s rise to international cricket is a testament to her hard work and perseverance.

Pooja is known to be a reserved and private person off the field. She prefers to keep her personal life away from the limelight, focusing primarily on her cricket. Her family has played a significant role in her success, especially her father, who has been her pillar of support throughout her journey.

Outside of cricket, Pooja enjoys spending time with her family and close friends. She is also an animal lover and often shares the pictures of her pets on social media. Despite the fame and recognition that comes with being an international cricketer, Pooja remains grounded and humble.

Her journey from the streets of Shahdol to international cricket has inspired many young girls in India to pursue their dreams, regardless of societal norms or challenges. Pooja is also actively involved in promoting women’s cricket and encouraging young girls to take up the sport.

Early Cricketing Career and Rise to Prominence

Pooja Vastrakar’s journey to the national stage began with her remarkable performances in the domestic circuit. Her natural talent as both a bowler and a hard-hitting lower-middle-order batter made her an asset to any team she played for. In her early years, she was often labeled as a bowling all-rounder, but as time progressed, her batting prowess began to garner attention.

Her selection to the Madhya Pradesh state team was the first significant step in her career. She quickly established herself as a dependable player, and her ability to perform under pressure caught the attention of selectors at higher levels. By the time she was 15, Pooja had already made a name for herself in domestic cricket.

One of the major turning points in her career was her selection for India’s U-19 women’s cricket team. This platform provided her with the exposure she needed to showcase her talent on a larger stage. Her impressive performances in the U-19 circuit led to her eventual call-up to the senior Indian women’s team in 2018.

International Debut and Early Performances

Pooja Vastrakar made her international debut in a One Day International (ODI) against South Africa on February 10, 2018. It was a momentous occasion for the young cricketer, as she had finally achieved her dream of representing her country at the highest level. She was primarily brought into the team for her bowling, but her all-round capabilities quickly became apparent.

In the same year, she made her T20 International debut on February 13, 2018, against South Africa as well. Her initial performances were promising, and she showed glimpses of her potential in both batting and bowling. Her ability to hit powerful shots lower down the order added depth to the Indian batting lineup, while her medium-fast bowling provided control and consistency in the middle overs.

However, Pooja’s career was not without its setbacks. In March 2018, during the Women’s T20 Tri-Series in India, she suffered a knee injury while fielding, which sidelined her for several months. This was a significant setback for the young cricketer, as it came just when she was beginning to establish herself in the Indian team. Despite the injury, Pooja showed immense resilience and determination to make a comeback.

Cricketing Career: Role, Matches, and Achievements

Pooja Vastrakar made her international debut for the Indian Women’s Cricket Team in 2018, and her first major appearance came in an ODI against South Africa. She has since grown into one of the most dependable all-rounders for India.

Playing Style:

• Batting: Right-hand batter, usually deployed in the lower order.
• Bowling: Right-arm medium-fast bowler.

Vastrakar is known for her aggressive batting and ability to strike crucial runs lower down the order, as well as her effective fast-bowling spells. Her role in the team is that of an all-rounder, and she contributes with both bat and ball.

Notable Matches and Performances:

• ODI debut: February 10, 2018, against South Africa.
• T20I debut: February 13, 2018, also against South Africa.
• Test debut: June 16, 2021, against England at Bristol.

Pooja’s most significant moment came during the 2022 Women’s Cricket World Cup, where she played a crucial knock of 67 runs in a game, helping India secure a victory. Additionally, she has accumulated important wickets, making her a valuable bowler for India across formats. During the 2022 World Cup, she picked up 10 wickets and made 156 runs.

Career Stats:

• ODI Matches: 30+
• T20Is: 40+
• Test Matches: 2
• Batting Average: Around 20 in ODIs and 15+ in T20Is.
• Bowling Figures: Best ODI bowling figures of 4/31 and over 30 wickets in T20Is.

Format	Matches Played	Runs	100s	50s	Batting Average	Wickets	Bowling Average	Role
ODI	36	803	1	5	23.55	48	26.29	All-rounder
T20I	30	500	0	2	18.52	30	25.60	All-rounder
Test	5	82	0	0	16.40	10	34.10	All-rounder

Awards and Recognitions

Pooja Vastrakar is widely regarded as a rising star in Indian women’s cricket. While she hasn’t won any individual global awards yet, her consistent performances and all-round contributions have earned her recognition as one of the most promising players in India.

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Pooja Vastrakar Net Worth Details

Estimated Net Worth of Pooja Vastrakar

As of 2024, Pooja Vastrakar’s estimated net worth is around ₹3-5 crore. This includes her earnings from her cricketing career, brand endorsements, and participation in franchise leagues. With women’s cricket gaining popularity and media attention, her net worth is expected to grow in the coming years.

Sources of Income

1. Cricket Contracts Pooja Vastrakar is a contracted player for the Indian women’s national cricket team, earning a fixed salary based on her contract category with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Her consistent performances in domestic and international matches have helped her secure a spot in the national team.
2. Indian Premier League (IPL) Equivalent With the Women’s Premier League (WPL) gaining traction, Pooja has been a part of high-profile franchise deals. In the 2023 WPL auction, she was signed by a leading franchise, which further increased her income. Her auction price was reported to be around ₹1.9 crore, showcasing her rising value in the T20 leagues.
3. Match Fees and Bonuses As part of the Indian team, Pooja earns match fees for One Day Internationals (ODIs), Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is), and Test matches. Additionally, there are performance-based bonuses for achievements like winning series, player of the match awards, and exceptional all-round performances.
4. Brand Endorsements Like many cricketers, Pooja Vastrakar has ventured into brand endorsements. Though her endorsement portfolio is still growing, she has been associated with sportswear brands and fitness-related products. These endorsements add to her overall earnings and reflect her increasing popularity.
5. Social Media Influence With a growing presence on social media platforms like Instagram and Twitter, Pooja engages with her fans regularly. Her active online presence also opens up avenues for sponsored posts and collaborations with various brands, contributing to her income.

Lifestyle and Assets

Despite her increasing wealth, Pooja Vastrakar remains grounded and focused on her game. She leads a balanced lifestyle, focusing on fitness and cricket training. While specific details about her investments or luxury purchases are limited, it is expected that she has made prudent financial decisions to secure her future.

Future Earnings Potential

As Pooja Vastrakar continues to shine on the cricket field, her future earning potential is bright. With the growing support for women’s cricket in India and globally, her net worth is likely to witness a steady rise. The expansion of the Women’s Premier League, endorsements, and potential media engagements will contribute significantly to her wealth.

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Overcoming Challenges and Injuries

Pooja Vastrakar’s career has not been without its challenges. One of the most significant hurdles she faced was a knee injury in 2018 that kept her out of action for several months. Injuries are a part of any athlete’s career, but for Pooja, this was a particularly tough time as it came just when she was beginning to establish herself in the national team.

However, her ability to bounce back from adversity speaks volumes about her character and determination. After months of rehabilitation and hard work, Pooja made a successful return to cricket. Her resilience in overcoming injuries has been an inspiration to many young athletes who face similar challenges.

Future Prospects and Goals

At just 25 years of age, Pooja Vastrakar has many years of cricket ahead of her. As one of the key players in the Indian women’s team, she is expected to play a significant role in future tournaments, including the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup and the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup.

Her primary goal is to help India win major international tournaments, something that has eluded the women’s team in recent years. With the increasing popularity of women’s cricket and the growing support for the sport in India, Pooja is determined to contribute to India’s success on the global stage.

As an all-rounder, Pooja continues to work on improving her skills in both batting and bowling. Her ultimate aim is to become one of the best all-rounders in world cricket, and given her talent and work ethic, there is no doubt that she has the potential to achieve this.

Injuries and Comebacks

Vastrakar’s career has had its challenges. Notably, she missed the 2018 ICC Women’s World T20 due to a knee injury sustained during a warm-up match. Despite these setbacks, her resilience has seen her return stronger, becoming a crucial part of India’s squad in recent years.

Comeback and Rise as a Key All-Rounder

After her injury, Pooja Vastrakar underwent surgery and spent months rehabilitating to get back to full fitness. Her comeback to international cricket was not easy, but she returned stronger and more determined than ever. By 2019, she had regained her place in the Indian squad and began to make consistent contributions in both ODI and T20 formats.

Her breakthrough performance came in the 2018 Women’s World Twenty20, where she played a crucial role for India. Although India did not win the tournament, Pooja’s all-round performances, especially with the bat, were highly appreciated. Her ability to score quick runs in the death overs and provide crucial breakthroughs with the ball made her a key player in the team.

In the years that followed, Pooja continued to grow as an all-rounder. Her performances in domestic cricket for Madhya Pradesh were outstanding, and she became one of the most important players in the state team. Her bowling became more accurate, and she developed the ability to swing the ball, making her a more potent threat with the new ball. Simultaneously, her batting also improved, and she became known for her ability to finish innings with aggressive stroke play.

Playing Style and Strengths

Pooja Vastrakar is often described as a dynamic all-rounder who can make an impact with both bat and ball. As a bowler, she bowls right-arm medium-fast and is known for her ability to swing the ball, especially in favorable conditions. Her control and accuracy allow her to contain runs during the middle overs, while her ability to pick up crucial wickets makes her a valuable asset for the Indian team.

With the bat, Pooja is a powerful hitter, especially in the lower-middle order. She has the ability to accelerate the scoring rate in the latter stages of an innings, which is a crucial skill in limited-overs cricket. Her aggressive batting style complements India’s top-order batters, and she often plays the role of a finisher in T20 and ODI matches.

What sets Pooja apart is her fearlessness and her ability to perform under pressure. Whether it’s scoring quick runs when the team needs them or breaking crucial partnerships with the ball, she thrives in high-pressure situations. Her fielding is also a significant asset, as she is quick on her feet and has a strong arm.

Controversies

Pooja Vastrakar has largely stayed out of controversies throughout her career. Her focus has remained on cricket, and she is considered a dedicated and hardworking player.

Skills and Strengths

• Fast Bowling: Pooja’s bowling speed and accuracy make her a threat, especially with the new ball.
• Aggressive Batting: In the lower order, her ability to hit big shots and accelerate the innings is invaluable.
• Fielding: Known for her agility and quick reflexes, Pooja is an asset on the field as well.

Things to Know About Pooja Vastrakar:

• Resilience: Her journey has been one of overcoming injuries and constantly working to improve her game.
• Versatility: As an all-rounder, her contributions in both bowling and batting make her a key player for India.
• Role Model: Pooja idolizes Jhulan Goswami, a legendary Indian pacer, and has often credited her as an inspiration for her career.

Legacy

Though still young, Pooja Vastrakar has the potential to leave a lasting legacy in Indian women’s cricket. Her all-round abilities and fighting spirit ensure that she will continue to be a crucial player for India in the years to come.

FAQs About Pooja Vastrakar

Pooja Vastrakar’s journey from a small town in Madhya Pradesh to the international cricketing arena is a story of perseverance, dedication, and passion. Her all-round abilities make her a vital part of the Indian women’s cricket team, and her performances have already earned her a place among the top players in the country.

Off the field, Pooja remains grounded and focused, drawing strength from her family and her love for the game. As she continues to grow and develop as a cricketer, there is no doubt that Pooja Vastrakar will remain a key figure in Indian cricket for years to come.

Her story serves as an inspiration for young girls across the country, proving that with hard work and determination, anything is possible.

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