Anjum Chopra (Cricket)

Anjum Chopra (born 20 May 1977 in New Delhi) is an Indian woman cricketer. A sports girl from the start, the first time she stepped onto the cricket ground was at the age of 9. She played her first friendly match with the college girls' team at the inter-college level, scoring 20 runs and taking 2 wickets. Later the same year she was selected to play for New Delhi in the under−15 tournament

A sports person, she played various sports at an early age, representing her school and college in athletics, basketball, and swimming. She was also a member of the Delhi State basketball team that competed at nationals.

Anjum made her debut in one-day internationals at the early age of 17, on 12 February 1995 against New Zealand at Christchurch, New Zealand, and made her debut in Test cricket a few months later against England at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, on 17 November 1995. In only her second series for India the same year, she was awarded player of the series in the one day internationals against the visiting England cricket team, scoring runs at an average of 67.5.

She is a left-handed batswoman who bowls right-arm medium-fast. She has played in 12 Tests and 116 ODIs.

Anjum Chopra is a Test and One Day International cricketer who represented India women's cricket team. She is currently working as a cricket commentator. She made her One Day International debut in 1995 against New Zealand at Christchurch. In the first ODI she opened the bowling for India, giving 14 runs in her 4 overs. Going in to bat at No 10 for India, she had a crucial partnership of 11 runs to secure the victory for India.

She made her Test match debut in November 1995 against England in Calcutta. She was sent in as a night watchgirl against the English team in the fading light of Calcutta in her very first Test match for India. Living up to her coach's confidence in her she successfully batted till the next morning till lunch scoring crucial 27 for her team.

She was made Vice Captain of the Indian team in 2000 Cricinfo World Cup in New Zealand. With two player of the match awards and highest scorer from India, Anjum led the batting charts at the World Cup until the Indian team lost in the semi-finals to eventual winners New Zealand.

Awards

• Padma Shri 2014.
• Arjuna Award, 2007.
• Rajiv Gandhi Delhi state award in 2004.
• ICC Player of the match awards in 2000, 2005, 2009.
• Shiromani Desh Sewa Rattan award- presented by Shaheed memorial international sewa society, Ludhiana in 2002.
• Award of honour for exemplary contribution in the field of cricket presented during forum of women in public sector, 2004.
• Zee Astitva award – 'Award for exemplary women', 2008.
• FICCI – YFLO- Young women achievers award, 2009.
• Award for contribution to field of sports presented during National Progressive schools conference, 2011.
• FORE School of management- Alumni recognition award for public contribution, 2012.
• Shaksiyat Awards on International women day for outstanding performance in the field of sports, March 2013.
• Delhi Public School, Indore honoured for exemplary contribution in the field of sports, 2012–13.
• All India National Life insurance Employees Federation honours in recognition to the society and nation on their 50 years (golden jubilee celebration), 2013.