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Happy Kumari Khichar: From Home Net to WPL, Gujarat Giants Retain Jhunjhunu's Cricket Prodigy
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News18•05-10-2026, 13:05
Happy Kumari Khichar: From Home Net to WPL, Gujarat Giants Retain Jhunjhunu's Cricket Prodigy
- •Jhunjhunu's 18-year-old Happy Kumari Khichar has been retained by Gujarat Giants for the upcoming Women's Premier League Season 5, confirming her continued presence after Season 4.
- •Happy started playing cricket at age 10, facing initial family opposition, but her father, Rajesh Khichar, supported her talent, even installing a cricket net outside their home for practice.
- •Despite limited training facilities in Jhunjhunu, Happy practiced for hours, fulfilling her grandfather's dream and inspiring her younger sister, Anushi Khichar, who is now in Rajasthan Under-15 Senior Training.
- •Happy captained Rajasthan to the final of the 67th National School Girls' Cricket Tournament in 2024, earning Player of the Tournament, and was selected for the Indian team for the Under-19 Asia Cup in 2025.
- •Her success has transformed cricket in Jhunjhunu, leading to free training sessions for girls at the local academy, with nearly 100 girls now practicing daily, making her a role model for aspiring female athletes.
Key Questions Answered
Gujarat Giants has retained 18-year-old cricketer Happy Kumari Khichar in their team for the upcoming Season 5 of the Women's Premier League.
Due to limited training facilities and distant grounds, her father Rajesh Khichar installed a cricket net outside their house where she practiced for hours.
In 2024, she captained Rajasthan to the final of the 67th National School Girls' Cricket Tournament and was named Player of the Tournament, later representing India in the Under-19 Asia Cup in 2025.
