Baharagora’s Priyanka Kar Bats Through Hurdles to Join Jharkhand U-15 Team

Baharagora: In the quiet village of Khandamouda, a 13-year-old girl is proving that geographical boundaries cannot limit extraordinary ambition. Priyanka Kar has scripted an inspiring chapter for rural sports in Jharkhand by earning her place in the Under-15 State-level cricket circuit, fuelled by a dream that began on a television screen nearly a decade ago. Inspired by MS Dhoni and mentored by her father, Priyanka Kar traveled 100 km round trip daily to pursue her cricketing dreams, eventually reaching the national stage.

The 50-Kilometer Journey to a Dream

Priyanka’s rise in the cricketing world is a story of immense grit. With no professional training facilities in the immediate Baharagora region, she travelled nearly 50 kilometres every day to attend coaching at an academy in Ghatshila.

Her fascination with the sport began at the age of four, inspired by the legendary Mahendra Singh Dhoni. By the age of nine, she had formally joined an academy, trading childhood leisure for rigorous training and exhausting commutes.

A Legacy of Support

While her family initially prioritized academics, her father, Debraj Kar, eventually recognized her undeniable talent. A school teacher and a former cricketer who played across Jharkhand, Bihar, and Odisha, Debraj transitioned from parent to mentor and coach. Alongside her mother, Rita Rani Mahapatra, the family dedicated their resources to nurturing Priyanka’s potential.

Under the technical guidance of Coach Nishikant Kumar at the Baharagora Cricket Academy, Priyanka sharpened her skills as a batter and wicketkeeper.

National Stage and Future Aspirations

Priyanka’s hard work culminated in her representing Jharkhand at the Under-15 National State Cricket Tournament held in Visakhapatnam. Her journey has allowed her to interact with and learn from cricketing stars such as Saurabh Tiwary, Ishan Kishan, and rising talent Vaibhav Suryavanshi.

“If you want to achieve something big in life, hard work and dedication are most important,” Priyanka shared. “Never think you are less than anyone. Keep working sincerely, and success will surely come.”

With her sights set on the national colours, Priyanka Kar now dreams of representing the Indian women’s team on the international stage, serving as a beacon of hope for rural girls across East Singhbhum.