LUCKNOW, Nov. 5 -- Over the years, cricket has become the new lifeline for Agra citizens, especially youths and a strong presence of local cricketers like Aryan Juyal in the Team India and Deepti Sharma in the women's cricket team is the ample proof of this fact. Keeper-batter Juyal has been a consistent performer in the Test side, whereas Sharma had touched the moon with India winning their maiden ICC Women's World Cup only last Sunday. So, what's the reason for this craze for cricket, especially for women's cricket, as the city has the pride of producing almost half-a-dozen India stars, including Deepti Sharma, becoming a supply hub of women's cricketers to various teams of Uttar Pradesh for the Board trophy matches. "It's nothing but a rich culture of cricket in this historical town where I feel that every woman wants to play for India and that's what our city has become so special in terms of producing women cricketers for India," said Hemlata Kala, first woman cricketer from Agra to play for India, who scored 1000 plus runs in 78 women's ODIs before retiring from all forms of the game in 2008. "While playing alongside boys in the lanes of the Idgah area of Agra in 1986, I never knew that cricket would take me to new heights, including the responsibility of being the chief national selector of the women's cricket team. But today, I feel proud when the world praises Deepti Sharma and her effort in helping India win the World Cup as a girl from Agra," said Kala. Besides Kala and Sharma, a few other cricketers like Preeti Dimri, Poonam Yadav and Rashi Kanojia from Agra, played for India at the international level, including the World Cups. Besides them, several other players from Agra like Anjali Singh, Tanu Kala, and Almas Bhardwaj too have represented Uttar Pradesh in senior women's T20 teams and contributed to the local cricketing culture, some pushing towards higher honours. Their inclusion in the state and Indian domestic teams showcases the depth of talent emerging from Agra's women's cricket culture. These players set important precedents and helped popularise women's active involvement in competitive cricket, often overcoming social challenges and limited resources. The cultural acceptance and enthusiasm for women's cricket in Agra has grown enormously in recent years. Families and communities, once hesitant about girls playing cricket, are now increasingly supportive, recognising the sport as a viable path for empowerment and success. Media coverage and live broadcasts of women's games have further enhanced visibility and popularity, encouraging a new generation of players. "I used to play alongside 10 male cricketers in my team as there were no other women cricketers in Agra that time. It was Mohd Ayub Khan Afghani, a coach at the Eklavya Stadium, who guided many early talents with discipline and dedication, and created a solid foundation for the sport's growth in the region," said Kala, now the head coach of the North Central Railways women's cricket team. However, she said that Deepti's success in the World Cup has now given a fillip to women's cricket in Agra as well as in Uttar Pradesh. "Deepti's powerful batting and effective spin bowling have made her a standout all-rounder for India's women's cricket team and her rise has inspired numerous young girls in Agra and across India to dream big and pursue cricket professionally," said Kala. Deepti Sharma played a key role in India's historic ICC Women's ODI World Cup victory on Sunday, where her match-winning performances sparked celebrations not only nationally but also hometown pride in Agra. "With the success of Agra cricketers in domestic and international circuits, now the city has a big growth of women cricketers, almost 1,000 in various academies of the city. Many of them have been part of the UP teams like Sampada and Aditi Singh and I am sure that Deepti's achievement will have a serious impact on the growth of women's cricket in Agra in near future," said Kala. "Now, I can see India winning the 2026 T20 World Cup in England as we have the best lot of cricketers, mixed with youngsters and they have the guts to make India colours fly high once again," she said....