Uma Chetry

Full of infectious energy and lightning-quick hands behind the stumps, Uma Chetry has emerged as a groundbreaking figure in Indian cricket. Born on July 27, 2002, in Bokakhat, Golaghat district, Assam, she is a natural wicketkeeper-batter whose game is built on sharp instincts, athleticism, and fearless shot selection. Behind the stumps, her exceptional reflexes allow her to grab difficult half-chances and effect sharp stumpings, while her dynamic batting provides valuable options. Her rise has rewritten history, establishing her as the first woman cricketer from Assam and Northeast India to represent the nation at the senior international level.

Her beginnings trace back to the rural village of Kandulimari, where she grew up in a humble family as the only girl among five siblings. Raised by her farmer father, Lok Bahadur, and mother, Dipa, her introduction to cricket came on village roads playing alongside her brothers and local boys. Recognizing her enthusiasm, her mother bought her a plastic bat as a child. When district-level trials for girls were announced nearby, Chetry seized the opportunity. Initially trying her hand at bowling, her coach suggested a switch to wicketkeeping to fill an unstaffed role - a turning point that unlocked her raw potential. Supported by her family, she pursued formal coaching, commuting daily while completing her schooling at Bokakhat Hindi High School.

Chetry made her senior domestic debut for Assam during the 2015–16 season as a teenager. After a dip in form during her mid-teens saw her briefly dropped from the state squad, she doubled down on her preparation and earned back her spot. Her performances as Assam's frontline keeper-batter earned her a selection for India A at the 2023 ACC Women's Emerging Teams Asia Cup in Hong Kong, followed by inclusion in the gold medal-winning Indian squad at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou. In 2024, she joined UP Warriorz in the Women's Premier League as an injury replacement for Vrinda Dinesh, gaining exposure to top international players and elite coaching standards.

Her senior international breakthrough arrived on July 7, 2024, when she made her T20I debut for India against South Africa in Chennai. Opportunity knocked again on October 26, 2025, during the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup clash against Bangladesh in Navi Mumbai: drafted into the playing XI after Richa Ghosh suffered a finger injury, Chetry received her maiden ODI cap from vice-captain Smriti Mandhana. By taking the field, she made history as the first woman from Northeast India to play an ODI for the country, capping off the year as part of India's World Cup-winning campaign.

Heading through 2026, Chetry continues to build on her pioneering legacy with Assam in domestic competitions and across representative setups. Her inspiring journey from rural Assam to world champion status has motivated young girls across the region to pursue cricket professionally, cementing her standing as a cornerstone for the future of Indian wicketkeeping.