Mahika Gaur, a talented left-arm pacer, caught the eye of Chaya Mughal, former captain of the UAE women’s cricket team, with her rare aggression and pace during a net session at Dubai’s ICC Cricket Academy. Mahika’s passion for fast bowling led to her international debut for the UAE senior team at the age of 12, less than two months before her 13th birthday. Her ability to bowl fast soon attracted the attention of the national selectors of England, where she was born.
Last year, Mahika made headlines when England selected her for a bilateral series against Sri Lanka after playing 19 T20Is for the UAE. Despite suffering a side strain that prevented her from making her World Cup debut, she remains focused on her cricket career. Currently, Mahika is training with the England World Cup team in Dubai, preparing to compete against their rivals, Australia, in the upcoming world cup.
In an interview, Mahika expressed her disappointment at missing out on the World Cup due to injury but was grateful for the opportunity to train with the England team. She highlighted the professional environment of the England squad and how it has impacted her approach to the game. Mahika’s journey into fast bowling was influenced by her father, a left-arm fast bowler, and her admiration for players like Mitchell Starc and Jimmy Anderson.
Having attended Dubai College and played cricket with boys due to the lack of a girls’ team, Mahika credits the UAE’s cricket system for nurturing her talent and providing valuable opportunities to play international cricket at a young age. She also acknowledges the role of her school in Dubai in supporting her cricket development. Despite now living in England, Mahika cherishes her time in Dubai, especially the weather and time spent with her family.
Looking ahead, Mahika is determined to keep improving and becoming the best athlete and cricketer she can be. While she admires pace bowlers like Anderson and Starc, her ambition is to continue growing as a bowler for England in the years to come. With a promising career ahead of her, Mahika Gaur is set to make a mark in international cricket with her exceptional talent and dedication to the game.
