Poonam Raut's Birthday: Indian explosive opener once got selected for 'Under-14 boys team' at the age of 12

Poonam Raut, a female Indian cricketer who become an internet sensation after her powerful knock against the English team in the ICC Women's World Cup final turned 28 today. The Indian opener was born on 14 October 1989.

Did you know the explosive Indian opener was selected to play for the under 14 boys team when she was just 12 years old? Yes, you heard that right. Way before she starts playing for India's women team, Poonam had participated in Mumbai Cricket Association’s (MCA) U-14 Summer Camp Trials for boys. The most interesting thing about that trial was that indeed Miss Raut was selected by the trial committee.

The childhood coach of explosive Indian opener Poonam Raut was so impressed with her batting skills that he decided to take her to the trials without telling her that the trial was happening for boys.

“I wanted to test her skills and hence, I asked her to go. She went there and stood in line with the other batsmen who were ready to bat. When her turn came, she impressed the selector Anil Muzumdar with her batting. Muzumdar called her and asked her name in order to write it down in the selection list. When she said Punam Raut, Anil was shocked. He asked her what she was doing there as this trial was just for boys," said Sanjay Gaitonde.

Poonam Raut belongs to Borivali, where current Indian explosive opener Rohit Sharma grew up. In fact, both Rohit and Raut had played at the same training camp and Mr Sharma is barely two years elder than Poonam.