Puja Mahato has been steadily establishing herself as a beacon of hope and dependability in Nepali women's cricket. Born on February 17, 2006, in Mahottari of today's Madhesh Province, Puja earned her place in the Nepali national women's team at a very young age. Leading the women's U-19 cricket team, she has also become a part of the senior national squad. As a right-handed batter and medium pace bowler, she has gained recognition both nationally and internationally.
Her father, Ranjit, has been a source of inspiration, with his struggles motivating Puja to pursue her dreams. Originally from Gaushala in Mahottari, she moved to India with her father, who had migrated there for work. It was in India that she connected with cricket. After the COVID-19 pandemic, she began training with her brother and soon established herself as an all-rounder in the Nepali team. She secured a place in the senior team before going on to captain the U-19 side. Growing up in India also influenced her cricketing inspirations, she admires Indian cricketer Rohit Sharma. She trained in New Delhi before catching the attention of CAN (Cricket Association of Nepal) and eventually joining the Nepali squad.
Leading the Nepali team in the U-19 World Cup, Puja's journey has been shaped by her family's hardships. Her father, Ranjit Mahato, left Mahottari for Delhi with the dream of improving the family's modest financial situation. With three daughters and one son, his only goal was to endure hardships to secure a better future. Among the siblings, it was by chance that Puja, the second daughter, joined her brother in cricket training at an academy.
"My brother had started playing cricket, and we used to take him to the academy. One day, the coach told my father that I also had the talent and should play. That's how my father encouraged me, and I became connected to cricket," Puja recalls about her early days.
Her entry into Nepali cricket is also tied to her brother. Two years ago, when her father and brother came to Nepal for an event, her brother participated in a U-15 camp and won a Player of the Match award, presented by then CAN treasurer (now vice president) Roshan Singh. Her brother told Roshan that his sisters, Puja and Aarti, also played cricket. Videos of Puja playing in Delhi were later shared with Roshan, who played a pivotal role in bringing her into Nepali cricket.
Puja made her debut for the national team against Hong Kong in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup Asia Region Qualifiers in Malaysia. In that match, she bowled three overs, delivering one maiden, conceding only five runs, and taking one wicket. Opening the innings, she scored 16 runs off 18 balls. In 20 matches for the national team, she has batted in 14 innings, scoring 185 runs, including one half-century. As a bowler, she has taken 16 wickets in 19 innings.
Her leadership extended to the U-19 women's team, which made history by qualifying for the Women's World Cup. During the ICC U-19 Women's T20 World Cup qualifiers, Puja was Nepal's top run-scorer and second-highest wicket-taker. Against Kuwait in the Asia qualifiers, she scored a century and also took five wickets in the same match. In the tournament, she amassed 272 runs and claimed 10 wickets. Under her captaincy, Nepal also competed in the U-19 Women's Asia Cup, defeating Pakistan and advancing to the next stage.
With excellence in batting, bowling, and captaincy, Puja recently led the U-19 women's team in the World Cup. She has also been nominated for the People's Choice Award at the annual Pulsar Sports Awards organized by the Nepal Sports Journalists Forum (NSJF). For Puja, the nomination represents recognition of her hard work, dedication, and passion for cricket.
She says the nomination has added greater responsibility, and she expressed gratitude to her coaches, family, teammates, supporters, and all cricket fans. "The nomination has brought joy to my family. Their support is my greatest motivation, and my parents' happiness gives me strength," says Puja. "The love and support from fans have brought me this far. I humbly request everyone to vote for me once again. Your votes will inspire me to work even harder, so that I can make you all proud, that is my biggest wish."
