Anu Raj - every opportunity counts
Since joining the club a few seasons ago, Anu has proven herself as a force on and off the pitch. Her weekends are filled with cricket; playing 3rd grade on Saturday and on Sunday, supporting her daughter, also playing for the Bears. We asked her a few questions to hear more about how she rediscovered her love of playing cricket.?
Q1: Describe the moment you first fell in love with Cricket and what drew you to it?
Anu: I grew up playing “gully cricket” in India, and as the only girl in a boys-only team, I didn’t exactly get the first pick of roles. Naturally, they made me the wicketkeeper — because everyone else wanted the glory of chasing the ball! That’s really where my interest in the game began. And honestly, if you grow up in India, there’s no escaping cricket — it’s less a sport and more a religion. The passion just seeps into you whether you like it or not.
Q2: What is your best cricket memory?
Anu: My best cricket memory has to be when my dad gifted me my very first real leather ball and bat. I thought I was on top of the world! Every day after school, I’d rush home, grab the bat, and rope in my sister to bowl to me. If she wasn’t around, the garage wall became my stand-in bowler — and let’s just say it took quite a beating. By the end of each summer holiday, the wall was covered in red cherry marks.
Q3: How do you balance your Cricket with your personal life and responsibilities?
Anu: For us, cricket is a family affair — which makes the balancing act much easier (and way more fun). At home, responsibilities get shuffled around quickly if someone has training or if there’s a big match on TV — everyone just chips in without fuss. I’ll admit, I take full advantage of this situation, and no one seems to mind — probably because the joy cricket brings into our home is contagious. It’s not just my sport, it’s our family’s bonding time. And the absolute highlight for me is playing alongside my daughter — nothing beats sharing the pitch with her.
Photo: Anu and her daughter Varada
Q4: What has been the most challenging obstacle you have faced in your sporting career so far and how did you overcome it?
Anu: The biggest challenge for me has been rediscovering the game after a break of more than 20 years. Like many, sport took a back seat while professional and personal priorities came first. Coming back to cricket after such a long gap has been less about the mental challenge and more about the physical one — the fitness, the fatigue, and reminding my body what it once knew so well.
But that’s also where the beauty of cricket lies. Every time I step on the field, I’m reminded why I loved the game in the first place. The resilience to push through the aches and keep going comes from that love. And honestly, the joy of playing again makes every bit of the challenge worthwhile.
Q5: Is there one moment from last season that you consider your most memorable highlight?
Anu: Every moment last season was memorable — from the little wins to the laughs we shared as a team. The camaraderie itself was a highlight for me.
In terms of innings, two stand out: my 43 runs against Sydney University, where I felt really in rhythm, and my 23 not out against St George Sutherland, which was a match-saving one. Those games reminded me why I love being out there — competing, contributing, and sharing the joy with the team.
Photo: Anu batting v. Sydney Uni
Q6: What is one thing that we will find in your game-day lunch box?
Anu: My game-day lunch box is very light: banana, a natural yoghurt pouch, a sesame seed snap, and a protein bar. Water and more water.
Q7: Have there been any life lessons or values that you’ve learnt from Cricket that you apply to everyday life?
Anu: Cricket truly grounds you in life. No matter how much you practice, one missed ball, one catch, or a brief lapse of concentration can end your innings. And then you wait patiently for your next chance.
Life is the same — every phase, whether good or bad, is like a test match. Play your best innings, stay focused, and embrace patience. Every opportunity counts, and resilience makes all the difference
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