[Exclusive] It took me an year to realise I have broken Sachin Tendulkar’s record: Kavisha Kumari Egodage

Interview with Kavisha Kumari Egodage

The chances of realizing that you have made it are very slim if you are a women cricketer from an associate nation. However, this is not the case with Kavisha Kumari Egodage, the UAE batter who recently got a chance to be a part of the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 trophy tour. During one such event, she interacted with a lot of young girls and got an overwhelming response.

Kavisha made her professional debut at the age of nine and played for UAE for the first time in 2014. She was born on April 23, 2003, a day before Sachin Tendulkar celebrated his 30th birthday.

Sachin scored his first half-century in international cricket when he was 16 years and 214 days. At the age of 15 years and 267 days, Kavisha scored her first international half-century against Malaysia and broke Sachin’s record. Kavisha is still the youngest women cricketer to score a half-century.

Kavisha has made tons of runs in domestic cricket in UAE and has been the batter who has scored a century in almost all the tournaments that she has featured in. She has been one of the top run-scorers for UAE Women since the time she made her T20I debut. Since 2019, Kavisha has scored the second-most runs while batting in the number three position in WT20Is.

In an exclusive interview with CricTracker, Kavisha talked about a range of topics, including her record of scoring a half-century at a very young age.

1. Tell us about your experience playing in the Asia Cup this year.

It was a wonderful experience for me, especially since I was back in my home country, Sri Lanka. Even though the results didn’t go our way, our team gained valuable exposure and experience. Coming from the global qualifiers into the semifinals, there were high expectations, especially with UAE being the top Associate team from Asia in the Asia Cup. While we didn’t get the results we wanted, we played good cricket, scoring 100+ runs in all three games. There’s still room for improvement, but we can take positives from the tournament.

2. What were your personal expectations before the start of the tournament?

I really wanted to do well, especially since I was back home, and almost all of my extended family was coming to watch the game. Even though the matches were in Dambulla and I’m from Colombo, it still meant a lot. I had worked really hard for the past one and a half months before the Asia Cup, aiming to give standout performances because it’s such a big platform. Playing well against top teams can get you noticed. Fortunately, all that hard work paid off. I had great performances against India and Nepal, even though we were on the losing side. I’m happy I could contribute to the team, because, in the end, that’s what really matters.

3. This was the second time UAE featured in the Asia Cup. What changes do you feel have happened in the brand of cricket that you guys are playing in these two years?

There has been a lot of progress in our game since we played the last Asia Cup in 2022. We’ve gained a lot more international exposure through bilateral series and various qualifiers, like the ICC and ACC Qualifiers. Playing in our first Asia Cup in 2022 opened doors for us, allowing us to play more and improve. Plus, when you go on so many tours with the same team and combination, it becomes easier for us to adapt to new strategies or mindsets because we know we have each other’s support.

4. You were the leading run-scorer in T20Is in the year 2022. What worked in your favor that year?

Being upfront in the lineup really helped, as it gave me more time to spend on the field, and I was happy to see runs coming off the bat. I was glad I could contribute to the team to the best of my ability, and with every game I scored in, my hunger to do more just kept growing. Overall, it was a great year for me.

5. How did it feel when you won the Associate Member Women’s Performance of the Year at the ICC Development Awards this year?

It felt amazing because all the hard work we’ve put in has really paid off. This award isn’t just for one person—it’s for the whole team. Winning an award from the ICC is a huge deal for us. We’ve had so many camps, and our support staff has been there for us every step of the way. It’s a privilege, and everyone is happy that our dedication is being recognized. This is just the beginning for us—we’re going to keep growing and getting stronger. Now, everyone knows about the UAE women’s team, and we’re here to break barriers and give our best in every game.

6. Has your role model changed now, considering you have played against and with some big names in the Fairbreak tournament? On that note, please describe your experience playing in the Fairbreak tournament.

As women’s cricket keeps growing, I’ve seen a big change. When I started, it was mostly about the men’s game, and the women’s game was very small. But as time passed, the role models changed. I was lucky to be part of the first and second editions of Fairbreak, which took place in Dubai and Hong Kong.

As you grow, your role models shift, and I was fortunate enough to play against mine, like Chamari Athapaththu and Deandra Dottin. In fact, Dottin was my batting partner in the first season of Fairbreak when we both played for the Barmy Army. Being part of Fairbreak is a privilege because I learned so much. Even though we are international players, there’s a big gap between us and players from ICC Full Member nations. Playing with and against these big names made me realize how much harder I need to work to close that gap.

I never thought I’d get the chance to face bowlers like Chamari Athapaththu or Marizanne Kapp, or bat with players like Dottin, Campelle, Heather Knight, Laura Wolvaardt, and Lauren Winfield-Hill. These are dream opportunities, and Fairbreak gave me that. I’m so thankful to them for giving associate players a chance to experience franchise cricket. This kind of experience is rare for us, and now we have a taste of what it’s like to be part of tournaments like the WPL, the Women’s Caribbean League, and The Hundred.

7. You were the first female cricketer to score a century in the Gulf Cup. Please describe the format of the tournament and how it has shaped your cricketing career.

The Gulf Cup is a prestigious tournament that has been happening for over ten years. It’s mostly for the boys and takes place during winter break or long vacations. The best domestic players from the UAE participate, and sometimes international players from England and South Africa also join. I even heard that Ben Stokes played in it when he was younger!

It’s a big tournament where clubs compete, and I was on a good run when I scored a century against the boys, which was a memorable moment for me. It was my first century against the boys, and being part of such a prestigious tournament means a lot. Scoring those runs and setting a record there is something I’m really proud of.

8. Which are your favorite women’s matches?

As a cricket fan, you’re naturally drawn to all kinds of games, but for me, the top ones would be the England vs. Australia competition, especially the Women’s Ashes. Anytime these two teams face off, it’s a treat to watch—the competition is similar to the men’s Ashes. Another great game was the recent Asia Cup final, where Sri Lanka made an incredible comeback, even after losing Chamari Athapaththu early on.

If you’re a cricket fan, you should definitely watch it. Women’s cricket has become much easier to follow now, with most games live-streamed on platforms like YouTube or cricket channels.

9. What is your favorite moment from the Women’s Premier League? Which is your favorite team in the tournament?

The highlight for me as an RCB fan was when they lifted the trophy in the second season. That’s a big moment for me. I also really like the team combination of the Delhi Capitals, especially getting Meg Lanning, who continues to play even after retiring. Watching her signature cuts is always amazing. That’s one of the great things about franchise cricket—you get to see your favorite retired players still playing.

Having women’s franchise leagues is a huge win because it means more women’s games get promoted, and we have more matches to look forward to. For me, watching any women’s game is exciting, and I love following the WPL and other franchise leagues since they bring such a high standard to the game.

Also Read: WPL 2025: Retention deadline extended to November 7

10. You trained under the late great Shane Warne at the Rajasthan Royals Academy. How was your experience, and what lessons did you receive from him?

It was an amazing experience to be part of that camp and learn from legends like Lisa Sthalekar and the late Shane Warne, who is truly missed. He left us too soon. The camp was really valuable—we learned a lot, especially about playing against spinners. We had great discussions on how to handle different spin deliveries and how to respond as a batter. Overall, it was a fantastic learning experience.

11. Please tell us about your early days in cricket and how you started your career.

I started playing cricket as a hobby because I loved the game. Growing up, I often played gully cricket, park cricket, parking lot cricket, and all with friends and family. My dad noticed my passion and encouraged me to practice more. One day, a family friend mentioned that there were trials for the UAE women’s team, which would be touring Oman in 2014. My dad thought it was a good idea since I was already playing at a local club called Desert Club, where I joined at nine. I attended the trials at the age of 11, performed well, and was selected for the camp.

I received a call saying I made it to the squad! However, there was a funny issue with my passport: my baby photo was still on it. This meant I couldn’t travel without a guardian. So, we drove from the UAE to Oman while the rest of the team flew there. My dad was needed for me to get to Oman.

On that debut tour, I had the chance to play in the finals. I remember only getting one ball at deep third man, but we won the final! It was a crazy and memorable experience.

12. When did you get to know that you are the youngest batter to score a half-century? Also, how did it feel to break the record of Sachin Tendulkar?

I scored my first half-century in January 2019 during the Thailand T20 Smash. I only found out later that I had broken a significant record when Shafali Verma made her debut against the West Indies later that year. She scored a half-century, and some Indian newspapers reported it, mentioning that she became the youngest Indian to score a half-century. However, they also noted that I held the record for being the youngest at that time.

It was surprising to learn this through someone else’s article, as there wasn’t much information about my achievement online. I discovered that I not only became the youngest player to score a half-century but also broke Sachin Tendulkar’s record. I was in shock for a moment because he is considered the God of Cricket, and breaking such a record meant a lot to me.

It took me a while to realize the importance of this achievement. If Shafali hadn’t scored her half-century, I might never have found out. But now, it’s in the record books that I was the youngest player at 15 years and 267 days to score a half-century for the UAE, making it a very memorable milestone for me.

13. Where do you see yourself in the next five years in terms of your cricket career?

Being part of a major franchise cricket has always been one of my goals. After getting a glimpse of what it’s like through the Fairbreak tournament, I’m now aiming to participate in leagues like the WPL, The Hundred, WCPL, and the Big Bash League. These are definitely my targets for the future as I aspire to be part of some of the biggest franchise cricket tournaments.

14. What are the three things that you are grateful for now in your life?

My family has always supported me, standing by me every step of the way. So my family and my friends. I have close friends and a really great bunch of people around me. They’re always supporting me and just cheering for me like my cheerleaders at this point.

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