Tarique Anwar/New Delhi

The streets of Kolkata's Park Circus, a Muslim ghetto, are filled with energy; motorcycles cruising through the crowd, street vendors raising the pitch of their voice to sell their wares, and children running wild in the alleys. 

The story of 28-year-old Saika Ishaque, a left-arm spinner with the Mumbai Indians in the ongoing Women’s Premier League (WPL), and who had played for India in the ODI women’s Cricket Cup, began here.

Coming from a neighbourhood where girls are not seen playing out in the field, she was introduced to cricket by her father Mohammad Ishaque. Her father died in 2008 when she was 13. 

Saika Ishaque learned arm spin from her coach Shivsagar Singh — a former Bengal cricketer and a left-hand spinner.

Saika Ishaque on the field 

"The moment she lifted her bat, I saw fire in her eyes,” recalls former cricketer Jhulan Goswami who saw Saika grow told Awaz-the Voice. “There is something special about her. It was not just her talent, it was her spirit.”

On her struggle, Goswami who coached Saika for some time says. “She had no money to buy a kit, no guarantee of support from anyone. But Saika was not going to let that stop her. She was determined.”

She began her cricketing journey with the Kalighat Club and represented West Bengal in both Under-19 and Under-23 tournaments.

Her transition from fast bowling to spin was a crucial change in her strategy to rise in her cricketing career. The turning point came when she was spotted in 2023 by the Mumbai Indians scouts during the inaugural Women’s Premier League (WPL).

She has also played in the Senior Women's ODI tournaments for the India Green Women, India A, and India D teams. She has played for the Trailblazers teams in the Women's T20 challenge in 2022.

Young Saika with her sibling and parents

This was her major break as she was coached by Charlotte Edwards — former captain of England's women's cricket squad.

Saika’s performance is spectacular: She took 15 wickets in 10 matches in her first WPL season — enough to make her one of the league’s most promising players.

“I am not just here to play,” she once said. “I am here to take wickets". As her name grabbed headlines, it was clear she was not a one-season wonder.

Saika with her teammate

It was not long before Saika made her India debut in a T20 series against England. Once again, she proved her worth. In three matches, she took five wickets — including a match-winning performance that showcased her unique style—aggressive, fearless, and always with a smile on her face. 

"She has a wicket-taking mindset," said Harmanpreet Kaur, who captains the India women's national team in all formats. "That is what makes her special.”

Saika, whose journey from the backstreets of Park Circus to the world stage is also a triumph for every girl with dreams. “This is just the beginning,” she told Awaz-the Voice.

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Saika's journey from the backstreets of Park Circus to the world stage is also a triumph for every girl who dares to dream. “This is just the beginning,” she told Awaz-the Voice.