Minnu Mani is an Indian cricketer who plays as a right-arm off-break bowler and right-handed batter. She is notable for being the first cricketer from Kerala's tribal community to represent India in international women's cricket, and the first woman from Kerala to be selected for the senior India national women's team.
Key facts
| Full name | Minnu Mani |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Indian |
| Sport | Cricket |
| Role | All-rounder (right-arm off-break, right-hand batter) |
| Home state | Kerala |
| Domestic team | Kerala |
| WPL franchise | Delhi Capitals |
Background
Minnu Mani hails from Wayanad district in Kerala, and belongs to the Kurichiya tribal community. She took to cricket at a young age in a region where the sport had limited infrastructure for women, and progressed through age-group and state-level cricket in Kerala.
Domestic career
Mani has represented Kerala in the domestic women's circuit organised by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), featuring in the senior women's One Day and Twenty20 tournaments. Her consistent performances as a spin-bowling all-rounder helped Kerala become more competitive in national women's cricket.
Women's Premier League
Mani was signed by the Delhi Capitals franchise in the Women's Premier League (WPL), the franchise-based Twenty20 competition launched by the BCCI in 2023. Her selection was widely noted as a milestone for women's cricket in Kerala.
International career
Mani earned selection to the senior India women's squad, becoming the first woman from Kerala to be picked for the national side. Her elevation followed strong domestic showings as an all-rounder and was viewed as a breakthrough for tribal and regional representation in Indian women's cricket.
Significance
Her rise from a tribal hamlet in Wayanad to franchise and international cricket has been highlighted as an example of widening participation in Indian women's cricket beyond traditional metropolitan centres. She is often cited alongside other players from non-traditional cricketing regions whose progress has been aided by structured BCCI domestic tournaments and the WPL.
Related topics
- India women's national cricket team
- Women's Premier League (cricket)
- Delhi Capitals (WPL)
- Kerala women's cricket team
- Wayanad district
- Kurichiya
- Board of Control for Cricket in India
References
- Wikidata: Q120401606