Anjum Chopra becomes the first woman cricketer from India to be awarded an honorary life membership of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC)

 

Anjum Chopra becomes the first woman cricketer from India to be awarded an honorary life membership of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC). Virender Sehwag and Zaheer Khan were recently awarded the MCC memberships too. 

A former India captain and recipient of the Padma Shri in 2014, Anjum was thrilled to share the communication from the MCC. “It is actually an honour for women’s cricket in India. My journey had begun with a trip to the National Stadium as a schoolgirl and I am delighted to be the first woman player from India to receive the prestigious MCC membership,” said Anjum on Tuesday. Having made her international debut at 17, Anjum went on to play 12 Tests, 127 ODIs and 18 T20s. A left-hander, 

Anjum aggregated 548 runs in Tests, 2,856 runs in ODIs, which included a century against England at Northampton in 1999.

The MCC, while announcing her membership, said, “Since her retirement as a player in 2012, her voice has become familiar to millions across the world in her current role as a commentator on the Indian Premier League (IPL).” 

Anjum, who was honoured alongside Sehwag, was the first Indian woman to hit an international century. 

“I am really humbled to be among an august gathering of some of the finest players the game has seen,” said Anjum. 

An Arjuna awardee in 2007, Anjum led India to a rare Test series win against South Africa in 2002. “It was a huge boost to our image,” said Anjum