Dayalan Hemalatha, born on 29 September 1994, is a prominent Indian cricketer who excels as a right-handed batter and a right-arm off-break bowler. In domestic cricket, she represents the Railways team and has also been a significant player for Tamil Nadu and South Zone in the past.
Rapid Ascent
Dayalan Hemalatha's cricketing career was progressing smoothly until a motorcycle accident in the 2015-16 season derailed her path. Having started playing cricket just three years earlier, she had quickly risen through the ranks and was on the brink of being selected for the Indian team. However, a broken wrist from the accident—injuring her dominant hand—led doctors to advise her to take a year or two off from the sport to avoid aggravating the injury.
Reflecting on this period, Hemalatha described the incident as a significant setback in her life, telling ESPNcricinfo, "It was a huge blow to my life. Losing two years at the peak of my form was hard to digest, especially at the start of my career."
Despite her wrist being bandaged, Hemalatha found it hard to stay away from her bat. She would constantly test her grip whenever she passed by it. Just a month and a half after the accident, she began swinging the bat using her bottom hand. Her determination paid off, and she made a full return to cricket within seven months, driven by her deep love for the game.
"Every time I saw my bat, I felt the urge to pick it up. Mentally, I was very stressed, but that push helped me recover quickly. During those tough times, I learned to build mental strength, which taught me how to grow and persevere," Hemalatha shared.
Following her recovery, Hemalatha had to rebuild her career from scratch. She soon re-entered the India A setup and, after some impressive performances against Australia and England A, she received her first call-up to the senior Indian team in March 2018. She debuted for India in July 2018 against Sri Lanka and was later selected for the 2018 T20 World Cup squad.
Ups and Downs
Even after making the Indian team, Hemalatha's journey remained turbulent. She faced a challenging period after the Women's Asia Cup in October 2022, spending 16 months out of the team. The mental resilience she developed during her earlier struggles helped her make a strong comeback. After being out of the senior team for over a year, she was called up for the T20I series against Bangladesh in April-May this year. Her excellent performance in that series secured her a place in the squad for the white-ball series against South Africa, an opportunity she deeply valued.
"When I got another chance with the Indian team, I told myself to make the most of it," Hemalatha stated. "Mental strength is crucial, no matter the level you play at. Playing for India is a significant goal, but performing in every game requires mental strength. After my comeback, I stayed focused on giving my best for the team and thinking of ways to contribute to victories."
Hemalatha's recent games were far from insignificant. She scored 199 runs at an average of 49.75 for Railways in the Senior Women's T20 Trophy last year. She also contributed to Railways' victory in the Senior Women's One-Day Trophy and won the Women's Inter-Zonal ODI Trophy with Central Zone. Her standout performance in the Women's Premier League (WPL), including a 74 off 40 against Mumbai Indians, highlighted her talent.
With Jemimah Rodrigues and Yastika Bhatia sidelined due to injuries, Hemalatha was given the No. 3 role in the Bangladesh series, where she excelled. In the second T20I in Sylhet, she demonstrated her prowess by hitting 41 off 24 balls, showcasing a variety of shots and achieving the highest strike rate of the series at 141.55.
"My focus is always on maintaining a strike rate above 100," Hemalatha remarked. "Batting is all about timing, and if you have good timing, the ball will travel far. I work on my basics, which helps with my range hitting. I adapt my approach based on the situation, whether it requires staying at the crease or hitting big."
Hemalatha discovered women's cricket just before entering college in 2012 and was excited about making a career in the sport. Initially hesitant, her parents eventually supported her decision. Her father advised her to pursue cricket with passion. Starting her training in her neighbourhood under coach Sriram, she later moved to Chennai to train with Peter Fernandez after being selected for the Tamil Nadu state team.
Joining the Railways domestic team allowed Hemalatha to play alongside her idol, Mithali Raj. They reunited at the WPL, where Mithali served as the mentor for the Gujarat Giants.
"Mithali akka is a legend," Hemalatha said. "I can ask her anything about the game or strategy. Her guidance has been invaluable on and off the field. She knows my strengths and offers insights on how to approach different bowlers and pitches. We discuss strategies during practice and after matches."
Mental Fortitude
Hemalatha holds high expectations for herself. During the breakthrough series in Bangladesh, she was initially critical of her performance despite the praise from her teammates and India captain Harmanpreet Kaur, who told her she played beautifully.
"Harmanpreet is a fighter on the field and very friendly off it," Hemalatha shared. "After the second T20I, she complimented my shots, which made me realise I played well. The team's positive feedback convinced me that my performance was good."
Moving forward, Hemalatha aims to solidify her position in the Indian team, fuelled by the motivation and confidence gained from overcoming numerous challenges in her career.