Lisa Sthalekar: From Pune orphanage to becoming Australia’s cricket legend

Lisa’s life took a dramatic turn when an American couple, Haren and Sue Sthalekar, visited India intending to adopt a boy

Hyderabad: Many would be surprised to know that Lisa Sthalekar was born in India. The story of Australia’s extraordinary cricketer is both compelling and inspiring — a journey from being left at an orphanage to becoming one of the greatest female cricketers in Australian history.

Born on August 13, 1979, Lisa’s biological parents threw her in a dustbin outside Shreevasta orphanage in Pune, Maharashtra. The unnamed child found a new lease of life at the orphanage and was named ‘Laila’.

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Her life took a dramatic turn when an American couple, Haren and Sue Sthalekar, visited India intending to adopt a boy. However, when Sue’s eyes fell on Laila, she instantly fell in love with the bright-eyed girl and decided to adopt her.

After completing the formalities, the couple named her Lisa and took her to the United States before eventually settling in Sydney, Australia.

It was in Sydney that Lisa’s journey as a cricketer began. From playing cricket with her father in their backyard to making her debut for New South Wales in 1997 and earning her first ODI cap for Australia in 2001, Lisa’s rise in the sport was remarkable.

An exceptional all-rounder, she quickly established herself as one of the best in the world and was the no.1 all-rounder in women’s ODIs when ICC’s ranking system began.

Lisa went on to represent Australia from 2001 to 2013, becoming the first female cricketer to score 1,000 runs and take 100 wickets in ODIs. She later captained Australia and concluded her illustrious career on a high note, lifting the 2013 Women’s ODI World Cup.

Her contribution to the sport was immortalised, as she was inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame.