Dhanbad: In a town where aspiring cricketers often make do with limited grounds and inadequate training facilities, two youngsters have put Dhanbad on the national cricket map by earning opportunities in prestigious BCCI-linked programmes in Bengaluru.Promising fast bowler Anandita Kishore attended a programme at the BCCI Centre of Excellence from Aug 3 to 9, a recognition of her performances and potential in women’s cricket. Her selection has brought cheer to the district’s cricket fraternity, which sees it as proof that local talent can overcome infrastructural hurdles.Dhanbad Cricket Association president Manoj Kumar Singh said Anandita had represented India at the Under-19 World Cup in 2024 and remained on the national selectors’ radar because of her consistency and pace.Anandita, who completed her schooling in Dhanbad, displayed a passion for sport from childhood. Her mother, Alka Singh, recalled that she would regularly play cricket with boys in her neighbourhood. “Her determination and passion have brought her this far,” she said.Divyansh Kumar, a Class XI commerce student of Rajkamal Saraswati Vidya Mandir, also attended a BCCI National Cricket Academy programme at M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Aug 25.Principal Sumant Kumar Mishra said Divyansh’s selection for the National Cricket League was a proud moment for the school. Coach Pappu Singh said the teenager’s journey from local training to a national platform was remarkable.Their rise has renewed calls for better grounds, coaching facilities and sporting infrastructure in Dhanbad, where talent continues to flourish despite the odds, inspiring other young players across the town.
