The popularity of women's cricket in India is on an upward trajectory, with increasing news coverage, blogs, interviews, and media attention dedicated to the sport. Just like their male counterparts, women cricketers deserve their share of the spotlight. The outlook for women’s cricket in India is changing positively, and many young girls are now embracing cricket as not just a leisure activity but a true passion. Among these aspiring talents, Priya Punia shines brightly. At 26 years old, she has already made a significant impact in the world of women’s cricket. Her passion and dedication to the game are evident in her performances on the field. In this blog, we will look at Priya Punia’s cricket journey, stats, family, facts, etc.

Cricketer Priya Punia Biography

Early Life and Cricket Beginnings

Priya Punia was born to Rajasthan's middle-class family on August 6, 1996. Her father, Surender Punia, was working as a head clerk in the Indian Survey Department in Jaipur, Rajasthan. Her mother is a housewife. Priya also has a younger brother named Rahul Punia. She has completed her education at Jesus and Mary College of Delhi. Priya used to play badminton in her childhood but later developed an interest in cricket. At the age of nine, she enrolled in Surana Academy of Cricket in Rajasthan.

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Domestic Career with Delhi

Priya Punia plays domestic stint from Delhi

Priya took the cricket coaching from Rajkumar Sharma for seven years in Delhi. Rajkumar is also known as the trainer of the Indian captain, Virat Kohli. Priya made her first domestic appearance with T20 against Hyderabad for the Delhi women's team in the year 2016 at Bengaluru. She also made it into Delhi's senior side at the One Day Championship, which was organized at Bengaluru. The young gun managed to score 407 runs in just eight matches at an average of 50. Priya also represented the North Zone in 2015, where she scored few big knocks and impressed the selectors. With her astounding play in the domestic unit, she received a call to don the national jersey.

Priya Punia International Career

Image Source- The Quint

In December 2018, her name was included in India’s squad for the series against New Zealand. On 6 February 2019, she marked her debut in Women’s Twenty20 International Cricket (WT20I) for India, playing against New Zealand Women. In September 2019, she was selected to be a part of India’s Women’s One Day International (WODI) squad for their series against South Africa. Her WODI debut for India took place on 9 October 2019 in a match against South Africa.

Punia opened the innings alongside Jemimah Rodrigues in her first ODI. India was chasing 165, and Priya stayed till the end, scoring 75 runs from 124 deliveries, including eight fours, and helped the team win with 50 balls remaining. After a few early international appearances, Priya spent a period outside India’s regular playing XI before returning to the ODI squad in 2021. She was named in the squad for the England tour. The BCCI named her in both India’s test and ODI squads, but she didn’t make her Test debut during the tour.

Return to Squad

She later returned to international cricket during India’s 2023 tour of Bangladesh. Punia was selected for India’s ODI squad for the 2024 multi-format series against South Africa as well. She played only in the third ODI but couldn’t make an impact and scored only 7 runs. She then returned to the squad for the Australia tour in December 2024 as well and played the first two ODIs. Priya suffered a knee injury during the second ODI and missed out on the third one. Her last international appearance was on December 8, 2024.

Punia earned a call-up in July 2026 as Pratika Rawal’s replacement in India’s squad for the historic women’s Test against England at Lord’s. However, she didn’t get a chance to make her test debut.

Priya Punia Career Stats

A Self-Made Girl

Cricketer Priya Punia displayed immense determination in carving her own path to success. Despite being offered help by an assistant of a high-ranking BCCI official, who assured her a place in the team, she chose to decline the opportunity. Priya's father, Surendra, was informed that a recommendation from the top official would secure her spot in the Indian team. However, Priya recognized the importance of earning her place solely on merit and refused the offer, stating, "There is no satisfaction in getting into the team on a recommendation." Her principled decision reflects her strong character and commitment to achieving success through hard work and skill.

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Priya Punia Family

Priya with her father Surendra and mother

According to the report, Surendra Punia, who once harbored an ambition of playing for India, now coaches and mentors his daughter, Priya. He played a pivotal role in shaping her into the talented cricketer she is today. To support Priya’s cricketing dreams, Surendra took significant steps, including selling his property and taking loans, to purchase a 1.5-bigha plot of land worth Rs 22 lakh on the outskirts of Jaipur. The purpose behind this investment was to create a dedicated practice net and cricket pitch for Priya’s training and development.

A decision to construct a special pitch and nets for his daughter came after a bitter experience. Surendra was transferred from Delhi to Jaipur as an employee of Survey of India in 2016. When Priya sought to register at a cricket academy in Jaipur, the coach there mocked her for being a girl and harboring dreams of making it in cricket. Hurt by such, Priya refused to join the academy.

Responding to his daughter's love for the sport, Surendra first approached a groundsman to set up a pitch, but he demanded Rs one lakh. So, he decided to set up the pitch himself.

Lesser-Known Facts About Priya Punia