Ambika Grover: Indian American teen wins big for her research on ischemic stroke
Compiled by: Team GI Youth
(April 2, 2023) 17-year-old Indian American Ambika Grover was quite nervous as she sat along with the other 39 finalists at the 2023 Regeneron Science Talent Search award ceremony. The Greenwich High senior spent a week in Washington DC with other students presenting their projects to judges at the most prestigious science and mathematics competition for high school seniors in the US. Though she didn’t expect to win, she ended up taking sixth place for her project about ischemic strokes. “When I heard my name, I was so excited,” the teenager said, who brought home $82,000, with $80,000 coming from her sixth-place win and $2,000 from being selected as a scholar. And now, the Riverside resident wants to use the prize money towards her future college tuition fee.
Ambika Grover at Regeneron Science Talent Search
The teenager reveals a startling number that suffers from the effects of a stroke each year – 15 million – and out of which, there is a five-and-a-half-million-person mortality rate. In this, ischemic strokes (wherein an artery becomes partially or fully blocked due to a blood clot) account for 87 percent of all strokes. And her research lies in this area as currently, tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) is used to treat ischemic stroke, but one of its shortcomings include the risk of bleeding elsewhere and the inability to stop the forming of new clots. That’s when Ambika decided to dive deep into the research and came up with a probable solution.
She has engineered a targeted therapy for patients of ischemic stroke, which is caused by blood clots that deprive the brain of oxygen, for the medicine and health project. She has developed an injectable layered microbubble designed to target and break up blood clots and prevent them from reforming. She believes this can be used to restore the flow of oxygen-carrying blood to the brains of ischemic stroke victims.
For the same, the high schooler used magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles coated with a layer of anti-coagulant to prevent more clots from forming and a layer of tPA to break up the clot. “Ambika’s therapeutic innovation has the potential to make a real difference in how we treat ischemic strokes; we are encouraged by her results and eager to see how her research advances the field,” said Maya Ajmera, president and chief executive office of the Society for Science and Executive Science News.
The Indian American teenager, who sees herself conducting cardiovascular disease research someday, has already applied for a patent for her microbubble. She is keen to minor in economics in college and explore the intersectionality of economics and technology.
Ambika is also the president of the Girls Who Code Club and is one of 12 debaters selected from 140,000 to compete internationally with the USA Debate Team.
She is currently gearing up for an internship at Greenwich Hospital in May, where she will be working with someone who specialises in strokes. She also hopes to continue with her research in college and take it to the next level – using real-life applications. “I’m hoping to really learn more about how it applies to patients and the challenges we face deciding what actions we take when someone has an ischemic stroke and I want to use that knowledge to help me take this research further,” the Global Indian said.
(January 12, 2024) Chocolates with exotic fruits, nuts or liquor have caught the fancy of chocolate lovers for decades now. But have you ever had chocolate with falsa (sherbet berry) or sitaphal (custard apple) or kulfi? Homegrown brand, Saraam, the brainchild of a 19-year-old Udaipur resident Digvijay Singh, is bringing indigenous berries and fruits into the conventional world of chocolate making. Started in 2021, Saraam - which produces chocolates from bean to bar - has till now sold two tonnes of chocolate to thousands of people across India. It was during the pandemic when the world was locked indoors and trying new things, Digvijay too was keen to channelise his energy into something productive. After trying his hand at a lot of things, the then 16-year-old decided to give chocolate-making at home a try. That one step led him to start Saraam, which got its first order in 2021. [caption id="attachment_35192" align="aligncenter" width="484"] Digvijay Singh is the founder of Saraam[/caption] ‘Out of the box’ mindset Born and raised in a middle-class family in Udaipur, Digvijay wasn't academically inclined, instead chose to explore drama, games, and the innovative side of things. "I would always be looking for innovative ideas and things
Born and raised in a middle-class family in Udaipur, Digvijay wasn't academically inclined, instead chose to explore drama, games, and the innovative side of things. "I would always be looking for innovative ideas and things to do that were ‘out of the box’. In school my teachers always supported this innovative side of my brain," he said in an interview. His innovative side got a push during the pandemic when he explored varied things, and being a chocolate lover himself, he decided to try his hand at chocolate making. "I shared this idea with my cousin Mahaveer Singh and he was enthusiastic to join me. However, back then I did not have a plan of action. I didn’t even know how to make chocolates," he added.
With YouTube's help, he learnt the art of chocolate making and started distributing the end result among his friends and family for tasting. While it began as a hobby after getting positive feedback, he decided to turn it into a business. "I started making chocolates in my bedroom, which turned into my studio; day in and day out, I lived and slept in the aroma of chocolates. Even before I got into the business of white labelling, I was teaching myself about cacao beans, roasting, grinding, etc. I was experimenting, doing small batches." While brainstorming about possible customers, he realised that they received a box of chocolates last year when his dad brought a brand-new car from a showroom. Upon inquiry, he found that the showroom sold 60 cars in a day, and it gave him the idea to contact hotel owners and car showroom owners to sell his chocolates. In 2021, he got his first order of 1000 chocolates and launched his brand Saraam.
Creating desi chocolates
Around the same time, he came across an article that talked about a wide variety of indigenous fruits becoming extinct. "There were mentions of fruits that I had never even heard about and I was very shocked. For us fruits mostly mean the mainstream apples, mangoes, bananas, and grapes," he said, adding that this gave him the idea of putting these fruits in chocolates.
After doing some research on indigenous fruits like kokam, ice apple et al, he tried them to see which worked best with chocolate. "In the culinary world, we don’t go beyond exotic berries, cherries, and oranges. I have never seen a brand that puts anything else beyond the known few fruits. I wondered if there is a market for such chocolates and decided to take a leap of faith," he said. Keen to put these fruits on the global map, he put them in his chocolate. Starting with ber (jujube), and he later experimented with saffron and cardamom, bael, amala, jamun, kokam, and rose apple. "The ber chocolate and the white chocolate with saffron seem to be a great hit among people and are one of our best sellers, revealed Digvijay.
A homegrown brand Saraam sources its cacao from Kerala and Tamil Nadu, and fruits from different parts of the country. In just two years, he has turned it into ₹1 crore business, giving indigenous fruits a fresh lease of life.
(November 14, 2023) Divyakriti Singh has not been back home in the last two years. She missed all the festivals and other important events, which she would have otherwise celebrated with her family at their home in Jaipur, Rajasthan. It’s sacrifices like this and many more, that helped her gallop towards a historic victory which equestrians across the world will forever remember. She was among the four-member contingent that won India the historic gold at the Asian Games 2023, held at Hangzhou, China recently. “We definitely dreamt of a podium finish but to win the gold medal is surreal, it’s extraordinary and it should be like that,” smiles Divyakriti, in an exclusive with Global Indian. The historic win was the end result of hard training for years, perseverance, sacrifices and above all, the indomitable will to shine for India. “All the sacrifices we made are a small price to pay for the things we get to do,” says the 23-year-old, who is on cloud nine post the team’s win. She scored 68.176 in Asian Games. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Divyakriti Singh Rathore (@divyakritisinghrathore) The victory marked the first time in 41 years that India has achieved
The victory marked the first time in 41 years that India has achieved the feat. “The best three scores were counted from our team and I'm very happy that I was able to contribute to that,” says Divyakriti who was honoured with Maharaja Sawai Padmanabh Award for Young Achiever in the field of Sport at The Sawai Jaipur Awards 2023.
In Europe
For the last three years, Divyakriti has been living in Europe, preparing for the Asian Games. “I've been based in Denmark and then in Germany. I have been very involved with the daily routine of my horses. I'm in the stable every day, all days of the week,” informs the equestrienne, who visited Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Austria and Florida, USA as part of her training.
Her routine hardly changed during her training years. Divyakriti’s day would start at 5 am sharp and she would head straight for the stable. Even during the peak Europe winter, she would not compromise on her schedule.
The young rider currently holds the number one spot in Asia and ranks an impressive 14th globally, according to the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) Global Dressage rankings.
The Rathore Family
Born in Jaipur, Rajasthan, Divyakriti was in seventh grade when she started horse riding. By 12, she was completely involved in equestrian sports and went on to receive numerous individual and team medals at various events including the Junior National Equestrian Championships and All India IPSC equestrian competitions. “Horses are my passion and that motivates me to be a better rider. It keeps me focused on the sport and I’m grateful that I get to do something that I love,” says the alumni of Mayo College Girls School in Ajmer.
A student of psychology in Jesus and Mary College, University of Delhi, Divyakriti is the daughter of Vikram Singh Rathore, a retired Army officer and Alka TejSingh. She has an elder sibling, Digvijay Singh. The Rathore family have been into horse riding for decades. “My entire family was present at the stands cheering for me at the Asian Game. It was a very proud moment for all of us,” says Divyakriti, beaming with pride. Even her grandparents from both mothers and fathers side have also been connected to horses.
Adrenaline Rush
She describes her horse, Adrenaline as a superstar. “He is my best friend and made my dreams come true. Together, we were able to deliver a personal best score which helped Team India clinch the gold medal,” says Divyakriti.
Initially, when she arrived in Europe, Divyakriti was training with a different horse but was not comfortable with him. At that stable, Adrenaline was already the super star. An international dressage rider from Denmark Helene Melsen, who bred the horse, asked her to try Adrenaline for the Asian games. “Once I rode him, the connect was instant and that was the beginning of our partnership,” she says.
Adrenaline, who weighs around 700 kg, has a mind of his own, says the equestrienne. “We have a bond based on trust, which we built through the time I spent at the stables,” says the accomplished equestrienne. She makes it a point to take her horse out for walks and feeds and grooms him. “He even gets a treat after rides, no matter the result,” she says.
Adrenaline, like all other horses, senses everything. “So the key is to be confident and give your horse the confidence,” says the India Today Woman Summit Awardee.
Lessons learned
There are ups and downs in every athlete's journey and Divyakriti is no exception. “If there is one thing that I've learned from my career, it is that do not fret over things that you can't control. Horse riding has taught me that,” smiles the youngster, who has previously represented the country in Europe and national competitions across the country.
She won the IPA Junior National Polo Championship Winner twice, in 2016 and 2017. She won the gold in the Junior National Equestrian Championship at Kolkata in 2018-2019 at Kolkata, India. In the 2019-2020 Junior National Equestrian Championship at Bangalore. she won the silver.
Prior to the Asian Games, she and her team members underwent a tough selection process. “Our federation had chalked out a set of selection criteria which required us to do the selection trials in Europe. Those trials were international competitions where we were competing against the best riders from all over the world,” she says, adding that it gave her good exposure.
(December 29, 2023) In 2023, a remarkable group of Indian teen innovators emerged, leaving a positive mark on the world with their groundbreaking inventions. These ingenious teenage innovators not only showcased their creativity but also garnered recognition and awards for their impactful contributions. Through their innovations, these young innovators have introduced practical solutions that address real-world challenges, proving that age is no barrier to making a meaningful impact. From affordable medical devices to ingenious technological solutions, these Indian teen innovators have demonstrated that innovation knows no boundaries, inspiring others with their passion and dedication to making the world a better place. Global Indian puts a spotlight on a handful of Indian teen innovators who made the right noise with their work. Shanya Gill Shanya Gill, a young innovator from California, was inspired to create an affordable fire alarm after a devastating incident. According to the World Health Organization, around 180,000 lives are lost globally each year in fire-related incidents. Shanya's motivation came when a restaurant near her home in San Jose caught fire, leading to its destruction. This event made her mother more cautious, always urging Shanya to double-check the kitchen stove before leaving their house. One day, while studying,
to its destruction. This event made her mother more cautious, always urging Shanya to double-check the kitchen stove before leaving their house.
One day, while studying, the 13-year-old discovered the potential of thermal cameras to detect heat loss in homes during winter. Intrigued by this capability, she wondered if these cameras could be used to quickly detect house fires compared to traditional smoke detectors. Recognizing the possibility of saving lives with an early warning system, Shanya decided to pursue this idea. Her innovative fire alarm design recently earned her top honors and a $25,000 prize in a leading middle school science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) competition sponsored by Thermo Fisher Scientific and the Society for Science. Proud of her achievement, Shanya expressed her commitment to continue working on projects that contribute to making society a safer place.
Shripriya Kalbhavi
Shripriya Kalbhavi, a ninth-grader at Lynbrook High School in San Jose, was in for a pleasant surprise when she won a second place at the 2023 3M Young Scientist Challenge. She had been working on her invention, EasyBZ, for a while without expecting it to land her a spot in America's biggest middle school science competition, which won her a cash prize of $2000 for creating a cost-effective microneedle patch that allows for easy self-administered drug delivery without using pills or needles.
Growing up, Shripriya was afraid of needles and disliked getting injections. This discomfort and fear led her to realize that many people, especially children like herself, had no solution to their fear of needles other than being told to face it. Motivated by her own experiences, Shripriya developed the EasyBZ microneedle patch, aiming to deliver medication to patients painlessly and over an extended period. “I am really passionate about making sure that everyone is comfortable with the medical treatment that they are receiving, and I really want people to have long-term solutions to their chronic conditions. With the EasyBZ microneedle patch, I have always hoped that people can receive painless treatment that accommodates their medical needs, whether it be children who have diabetes or adults who suffer from forms of dementia like Alzheimer’s,” the innovator wrote in a blog.
Aditya Chaudhary
Aditya Chaudhary, a teenager from Delhi, shared a close bond with his grandfather, spending afternoons together listening to stories. When his grandfather was diagnosed with Parkinson’s, their quality time suffered as communication became challenging due to the disease's progression. Despite the loss, Aditya was inspired to create NeuroSight, a non-invasive headset that converts thoughts into text for paralyzed and neurological patients. Motivated by the desire to help the over 7 million Parkinson’s patients in India, Aditya turned his personal experience into a low-cost and effective solution, bringing Grey Horizon and NeuroSight to life in 2022. His innovation aims to bridge the gap between neuroimaging research and practical, everyday use.
In early 2023, Aditya began creating a prototype for his invention, and it's currently being fine-tuned. The goal is to make the device convert data into text in real-time, capturing thoughts the moment they occur in a patient's mind. Starting as a research paper that earned recognition from The Hong Kong Academy of Sciences, Aditya transformed the idea into hardware with NeuroSight. Now, he and his team are working to elevate it further by making it possible for thoughts to control prosthetic or robotic arms. "We wanted to focus on functionality as well since you can’t control your muscles in Parkinson’s because of the involuntary muscle movement. We recently pitched the robotic arm at one of the innovation and science fairs. We are now looking for mentorship in regards to advanced research behind neuroimaging that can validate our technology and work with people who can help convert the hardware into a minimum viable product," he told Global Indian.
Rohan Kalia
Rohan Kalia, a 17-year-old Indian-American student at Wheeler High School in Marietta, began his journey to create a solution for early detection of glaucoma after a family member was diagnosed with the condition. Recognizing that glaucoma is the second leading cause of irreversible blindness globally, Rohan was motivated to find an affordable way to accurately diagnose the disease. His efforts resulted in the creation of EyePal, a portable device that boasts a 95 percent accuracy rate in detecting glaucoma. Rohan's innovative solution earned him the prestigious 2023 IEEE President’s Scholarship, accompanied by a $10,000 prize.
Glaucoma, a progressive eye disease affecting the optic nerve, can lead to permanent vision loss if not detected early. During his research, Rohan discovered a significant disparity in eye care treatment worldwide and identified challenges in accessing glaucoma diagnosis and prevention, particularly in rural areas. To address this issue, EyePal utilizes a quality camera, a Raspberry Pi minicomputer, machine-learning technology, and a mobile app. The device captures fundus images, which are then sent to a mobile device for examination by a specialist. Tested on sets of fundus images, EyePal demonstrated an impressive 95 percent accuracy, providing a promising solution for accessible glaucoma detection.
Nirvaan Somany
A Facebook post about a denim requiring 1000 litres to water to be produced left Delhi-based teen Nirvaan Somany aghast. "I thought I was conscious of my water consumption but I was clearly wrong,” he told Global Indian. This led Nirvaan to start Project Jeans, a social entrepreneurial attempt aimed at mitigating the environmental consequences of denim by converting discarded denim into sleeping bags. "This led Nirvaan to start Project Jeans, a social entrepreneurial attempt aimed at mitigating the environmental consequences of denim by converting discarded denim into sleeping bags," he added. The project led him to win the Diana Award and 2023 International Young Eco-Hero award.
[caption id="attachment_33853" align="aligncenter" width="619"] Nirvaan Somany founded Project Jeans[/caption]
Till now, they have collected 8000 pairs of jeans under Project Jeans and distributed more than 1000 sleeping bags primarily in Delhi, followed by Kolkata, Mumbai, and Pune. “We also sent our sleeping bags to Turkey and Syria to aid with their earthquake relief last year,” he revealed.
Indian teen innovators have truly distinguished themselves with their exceptional contributions and groundbreaking inventions. Their remarkable achievements not only demonstrate a keen understanding of global challenges but also reflect their unwavering commitment to making a positive impact on society.
Kiara Nirghin
At the age of 13, Kiara Nirghin, an Indian-origin South African, endured a challenging period of hospitalization due to the dual diagnosis of Bilharzia and bacterial meningitis amid one of South Africa's worst droughts. Confined and unable to attend school, Kiara's profound pain sparked a transformative realization about the potential of the human mind. Reflecting on the power of knowledge during her TEDxPretoria talk, she envisioned utilizing this mental strength for productive purposes. This introspective journey led her to develop a groundbreaking solution for drought: a cost-effective "super-absorbent polymer" that enhances soil water retention. Kiara's invention not only earned her the top prize at the Google Science Fair but also secured her a spot on Time's 30 Most Influential Teens list.
In 2021, she collaborated with an international agricultural firm to introduce her groundbreaking product to the market. This innovation has the potential to revolutionize water conservation, ensuring the sustenance of crops during periods of drought and contributing to enhanced global food security. Reflecting on her approach, she expressed a mindset that envisions the world's challenges as yet-to-be-paired problems awaiting innovative solutions.
Atreya Manaswi
Five years ago, when Atreya Manaswi was just eleven, he went on a fishing trip with a friend and the friend's grandfather, who was a beekeeper. The grandfather shared a sad story about how he used to get lots of honey from his bees, but in recent times, the honey production had drastically decreased. This story deeply touched Atreya, inspiring him to start researching about bees.
Now, as an eleventh grader at Orlando Science High School, Atreya has been doing advanced research with the US Department of Agriculture and the University of Florida since he was 12. He created a new, eco-friendly, and affordable pesticide to help protect beehives from small hive beetles and varroa mites, which are major threats to honey production. Atreya also wrote a children's book called "The Bee Story" to raise awareness about bees, the environment, and farming. Besides all this, he's won several awards, including the Barron Prize 2023, and has spoken at international conferences supported by the UN and the World Food Forum.
(March 13, 2024) Losing her grandmother to no first aid, Bengaluru teen Veruschka Pandey knew she wanted to do something in the field of public health. Her determination solidified when she saw people losing their lives to cardiac arrest during covid. Upon research, she found that many weren't trained in CPR, leading to the loss of many lives. This prompted her to start Surya Nayak, a project that helps give CPR training to ASHA workers, bus drivers, factory workers and security personnel in Karnataka. "Now I want to make it a mass movement," said the 15-year-old. International recognition Recently, she became the first teen from Karnataka and the second from India to have participated in the 1M1B Activate Impact Youth Summit held at the UN in New York. It was here that she got a chance to present her project which showcased her contribution to the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in India. [caption id="attachment_36552" align="aligncenter" width="729"] Veruschka Pandey is the founder of Project Surya Nayak.[/caption] During the summit, she emphasised the need to create awareness and make it a mass movement among health workers and the Indian youth to achieve the SDGs by 2030. "I believe it's our
During the summit, she emphasised the need to create awareness and make it a mass movement among health workers and the Indian youth to achieve the SDGs by 2030. "I believe it's our responsibility to educate people about CPR." Comparing hearts to vessels filled with empathy, love, and life, she highlighted the importance of teaching CPR to save lives and prevent untimely deaths.
Her impactful work and thoughts were showcased through a documentary titled 'Heart is a Vessel' at the UN, followed by a panel discussion featuring her mentor Manav Subodh and acclaimed filmmaker Amit Madheshiya. Additionally, a documentary on Veruschka by Madheshiva was screened at the event. Veruschka's efforts also gained recognition beyond the summit. She recently presented her project at UC Berkeley, San Francisco, under the 1M1B programme and secured the second prize. Her project, Surya Nayak, focuses on training ASHA workers in CPR, leveraging their significant presence in rural India to create a domino effect of awareness.
Saving lives
"My project Surya Nayak aims to train ASHA workers in CPR because currently there are 1.5 lakh ASHA workers in India and one per 1,000 population. I thought teaching this substantial population predominant in rural India would help me advocate my cause and raise awareness like a domino effect because these ASHA workers are well-knit within their local community" said the student of The International School Bangalore.
It all began after she lost her grandmother, and wanted to create an impact on public health. For cardiac arrests, she found the loophole in the initial first aid - CPR, and decided to learn herself and soon felt the need to impart the education to others. However, many eyebrows were raised when they realised her age. She was only 14 when she started working with ASHA workers. "When I started training, they weren't sure and confident of their own capabilities if they could learn and really perform CPR. Finally, they realised that they could do it properly after training sessions," she added.
Over the last year, she has expanded her project to different parts of Bengaluru. Sharing her experience of carrying out the project in Kolar, she said, "I reviewed their first aid material and went for a five-hour course on CPR myself, to review what they would teach. After this partnership, I collaborated with them for my first training in Kolar."
Proud to have presented her project at the UN and in front of the UC Berkeley faculty, she said that she feels motivated and appreciated. "My efforts require bigger hands to join in to make this a successful mass movement. I feel that to achieve UN sustainable goals by 2030, each one of us has to join hands and work hard to achieve the goals and make them a possibility," she said.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Efq3WjuQCqc
Veruschka Pandey has undoubtedly made a significant impact on public health with Project Surya. Her initiative to train ASHA workers and bus drivers in CPR not only empowers these essential frontline workers but also has the potential to save countless lives. By spreading awareness and providing crucial training, Veruschka's work addresses the critical need for timely intervention in medical emergencies, ultimately enhancing survival rates. Furthermore, her recognition at the United Nations not only acknowledges her remarkable efforts but also amplifies the importance of youth-led initiatives in addressing global health challenges. Veruschka's dedication and passion serve as an inspiring example of how individuals, regardless of age, can drive meaningful change and make a tangible difference in their communities and beyond.
(September 12, 2023) In recent years, cricket has transcended its traditional stronghold in the eastern part of the world and found a burgeoning popularity in unexpected corners, notably the USA and Canada. Across America, school and college competitions are now a common sight, drawing a vibrant pool of young talent aspiring to carve a career in this exciting sport, and the United States' entry into the International Cricket Council (ICC) not too long ago marked a significant milestone. The nation has even ventured into major international tournaments in both men's and women's cricket. And leading the charge for the USA U-19 Women's Cricket team is a remarkable young Indian-origin cricketer, Geetika Kodali, who started her international career at the age of fourteen. "It is an excellent time to get involved with cricket in the US. The sport of cricket is currently receiving a lot of attention and funding, and both men and women have several opportunities opening up," the young cricketer recently said in an interview, adding, “I’m grateful to benefit from everyone who represented the nation before me and battled for these chances to support the next generation. I hope this will encourage a lot more girls to start
n and funding, and both men and women have several opportunities opening up," the young cricketer recently said in an interview, adding, “I’m grateful to benefit from everyone who represented the nation before me and battled for these chances to support the next generation. I hope this will encourage a lot more girls to start playing cricket, and they will also have the chance to play franchise cricket in the future. The USA women’s pathway has provided the female cricketers in the country with many stages in which they could showcase their talents."
In the fast lane
Born in California to Indian immigrants - Kodali Prashant and Madavi, who are originally from Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh - Geetika spent most of her childhood years in Morrisville, North Carolina. Although she was first introduced to cricket through her family and friends, the youngster instantly fell in love with the small bat and ball her father had got her.
"I started playing sports a lot when I was a child. I would switch sports every season. So, I started with soccer and then basketball and then volleyball, tennis, and swimming. Like, it just kept going," the cricketer said, adding, "But then at 11, I came across cricket and I didn’t know it was being played in America professionally. Until then, I would just play with my cousins in the backyard, like gully cricket, and if you hit a car, you get out. So that’s how far my expertise went. But then I started professional training and I just fell in love with the sport, so I never switched back to any other sport."
[caption id="attachment_33015" align="aligncenter" width="600"] USA Women's U19 captain Geetika and vice-captain Anika Kolan[/caption]
One of her earliest memories, which catalysed her passion, was witnessing a match between the USA Women's team and the Pakistan Women's team in Florida. “That was like the moment I was like, I want to play for USA one day," the Global Indian recalled. And the cricketer's ascent to the international stage reads like a surreal tale.
The Captain's call
Geetu or Geets, as she is referred to by her friends counts Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood as one of her favourite cricketers. Her penchant for delivering medium-pace bouncers to opposition batters may be influenced by this admiration. At 11, she started training at the club called Cricket Zeal Academy, where her coach was also the head coach of the USA’s National Women’s team. "He trained me very well," she recalled, "I never expected to play for an Under-19 team because there wasn't one when I first started playing. My debut for the Women's team came at the age of 14 when I played against Canada in the ICC Women's World T20 qualifier in May 2019."
[caption id="attachment_33016" align="aligncenter" width="601"] Geetika with her team[/caption]
In 2022, the Trinbago Knight Riders acquired the young cricketer as an overseas player for the debut edition of The 6ixty, hosted in the West Indies. And it was here that Geetika shocked the world, and made history by becoming the first player to claim the first-ever hat trick in the history of the “6ixty” for TKR against the Barbados Royals. The cricketer dismissed three notable wickets – Hayley Matthews, Britney Cooper, and Chloe Tryon, who collectively boast an impressive tally of 449 international matches among them. "It is an incredible feeling to take the first Hat Trick in the history of the Sixty competition. When I entered this event, I never imagined that I would be making history. I was thrilled to make an early breakthrough," the cricketer said, "I have had tremendous support from the team on and off the field, and we have faith in one another’s abilities."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFhz9NyUoxY
Later the same year, the cricketer was chosen to captain the USA Under-19 women's national team for the 2023 ICC Under-19 Women's T20 World Cup, which is also set to be the inaugural edition of the ICC Women's Under-19 Cricket World Cup. Talking about captaining the team, the youngster said, "When it comes to motivating the team, I never have a hard time because as soon as game day hits or even the night before, everyone is super excited and like, there’s just a fire in the team, so we all want to come back with the cup or come back with the win on a given day. In the morning there’ll be a lot of music and we’ll all be super competitive and fired up and the warm-ups will be extra chaotic.”
Shripriya Kalbhavi[/caption]
Aditya Chaudhary[/caption]
Rohan Kalia[/caption]
Nirvaan Somany founded Project Jeans[/caption]
Kiara Nirghin[/caption]
Project Surya Nayak[/caption]
USA Women's U19 captain Geetika and vice-captain Anika Kolan[/caption]
Geetika with her team[/caption]