Swagatika Rath, who became the third Odia girl to get selected in the national women’s cricket team. Telegraph picture

Bhubaneswar, May 3: When India eves completed a series whitewash over Bangladesh in Ahmedabad earlier this month an Odia girl was living her dream.

After choosing to bat first, India continued to lose wickets. At that crucial junture, Swagatika Rath’s innings of 30 runs propelled India to reach a respectable total.

She also scalped two wickets later to ensure that the team could defend the target.

Rath from Jajpur district became the third Odia girl after Madhuri Mehta and Rosnara Parveen to don the national jersey when she was selected for Indian women’s cricket team for the Bangladesh series.

“I wish to stay here for long,” she said when asked about the short stint of Odia women cricketers in the international arena.

The 19-year-old all-rounder — right-hand batsman and right arm off-break bowler— always had a keen interest in cricket. However, it was during her higher secondary days, under the tutelage of her uncle and coach Gyanchand Das, that she started taking the game more seriously.

She began well at the domestic level, but her career graph plummeted courtesy a string of poor performances in 2010-2011. She worked on her basics and like a phoenix, rose from the ashes.

Playing the practice match of the Women’s World Cup 2013 tournament against Pakistan, she had played a major role in Odisha team’s victory by scoring 53 runs and taking two wickets.

She feels that after the World Cup, more women in the state are keen to take up cricket as a career option.

“Today, more girls, even from interiors of the state, are dreaming to become cricketers. The Odisha Cricket Association has obviously done a lot in terms of infrastructure and training. Now, an Odisha Premier League for women in the state could do wonders. In fact, we could have an IPL for women cricketers in the country. It will bring a sea change in women's sports,” said Rath.

Asked about her game style, she said: “I am more like Virender Sehwag and Virat Kohli. I like to go after the bowlers from the word go. Among, women cricketers, Poonam Raut’s game impress me the most.”

Rath played two T-20 and three ODIs for India.

“The seniors were very helpful. Harmanpreet Kaur is a very patient skipper. I hope to get selected for the next series and get to share the dressing room with them,” said the all-rounder.