Playing in WNBA is the bigger goal
Having just signed for Greek basketball club Esperides Kallitheas, Harsimran 'Honey' Kaur Dhami is set to become the first Indian female to play professional basketball in Europe.
In a sport where statistics make for hot discussion, she must like the sound of that stat.
'I mean, who wouldn't?' she replies with a chuckle in a telephonic chat with TOI . 'Like, it's definitely great to hear. I always wanted to do that. But at the same time, it's a lot of pressure to kind of carry because you're really just representing your whole country. I wouldn't want anyone else to have that pressure but me, I think that's definitely just all the work that I put in.'
Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel.
SUBSCRIBE NOW!
Pressure, however, is something the 22-year-old Honey has learnt to accept over the years. It's something she was trained, and trained hard to endure by a father, who, in her own words, didn't treat her 'like a daughter', right from her introduction to basketball as a 7-year-old.
'Growing up in the small town Kapurthala in Punjab, there was not really a woman's team anywhere. So it's just watching my dad every day, because he used to play basketball.
So he would go to practice every day and I would just go with him, stand by the pool and just watch him play.'
Considering it to be a 'weird game' at first, curiosity got the better of the innocent 7-year-old girl and she soon prodded her father, and asked if she could join him and his group. It was not exactly an ideal beginning. 'I'm playing with these 40-yearold, 35-year old dudes and they're like beating me up and I'm thinking, 'this is not for me, what is this? what am I doing'? And my dad would go, 'just put the ball in the hoop'.
Poll
Do you believe that representation of women in sports is important?
Absolutely!
Somewhat important.
Not really.
It was simply the first of many sporting lessons Sukhdev Singh Dhami would go on to teach his daughter.
Excited as she is about starting a new chapter of this inspiring story in Greece, Honey remains in pursuit of a bigger goal.
'The job is not done yet. Like, I haven't touched the WNBA yet. I know it's a big deal to be Europe's first Indian female player, but I think it would be an even, even, even, even bigger deal if I became the first Indian to ever play WNBA.'
Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
5 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Mohammed Siraj himself said, ‘I want to play and win Oval Test' despite heavy workload: ‘He's willing to run in all day'
Mohammed Siraj has emerged as a true workhorse for India in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy against England. The pacer has been running in throughout the five-match series, and he is one of only two players to feature in all five Tests. The right-arm pacer has 20 scalps to his name in the series so far. It was Siraj who kept charging in on Day 4 of the Oval Test despite Harry Brook and Joe Root going hell for leather. The pacer kept bowling probing line and lengths, and eventually, his hard work led to Prasidh Krishna picking up wickets at the other end. Mohammed Siraj is the leading wicket-taker in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. (PTI) India bowling coach Morne Morkel has now revealed that there were conversations with Siraj regarding his workload prior to the Oval Test, but it was the 31-year-old himself who wanted to play the match and stand up for India in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah. Siraj has bowled more than 180 overs so far in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. He has kept charging in despite his body taking a lot of toll. The absence of Jasprit Bumrah has brought out the best in the Indian pacer, as he took the charge of being the leader of the attack. 'I said it earlier in the Test series, I'm very happy for Siraj that he's getting the recognition. He's a guy in that changing room who will lead the way; he's a natural leader. Although vocally, he doesn't speak a lot, I think he leads a lot with his actions," Morne Morkel told reporters after stumps on Day 4. Also Read: Mohammed Siraj refuses to make eye contact after schoolboy error costs India huge wicket 'In this series, he's done it with the ball at times when we've needed somebody to put his hand up and create something. Even if it was bowling an extra two to three overs or creating an opportunity for us, he's been that guy,' he added. Siraj has put in the effort Siraj returned with four wickets in the first innings of the Oval Test, while in the second innings, he has taken two wickets so far, dismissing Zak Crawley and Ollie Pope. "He's put in the effort, and it's just nice to see the rewards and today again at the back end, stepping up, getting the support behind the team to lift us in the crucial moments, it's those sort of smart plays that you need, and for me, Siraj has just been outstanding,' Morkel said. Before the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy even started, the team management knew that Jasprit Bumrah would be playing just three Tests. Hence, Siraj decided to step up. It must be mentioned that Siraj even played all the matches in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. 'I think he just enjoys that opportunity when it's given to him, and he said it yesterday, he just loves playing for India and putting the shirt on and performing. That's what you want from a fast bowler — an important series, five Tests, a guy that's always willing to take the ball and a guy who's always putting his hand up to say, 'listen, I want to do it for the team'," said Morkel. 'Even before the start of the Test, there were conversations with him just to check in on how he was feeling mentally and how he was feeling physically because of the amount of overs. But he was the first guy to say, 'Listen, I want to play this Test match, I want to win it for the team'. So not just the bowling front, but it's the attitude for me that is great, and you've got a guy with an attitude like that, he's willing to run in all day, I'm not surprised, that's why he's got the numbers,' he added. Heading into the fifth and final day of the Oval Test, all results are possible. England need 35 more runs for the win while India require four wickets.
Time of India
11 minutes ago
- Time of India
IND vs ENG, 5th Test: 'Injection liya kya tum?' - Shubman Gill asks Akash Deep. Watch
India's Akash Deep, second right, celebrates with teammates (AP Photo/Scott Heppell) Tensions were high on Day 4 of the fifth Test at The Oval as India's bowlers struggled to contain a surging England batting lineup. Captain Shubman Gill , clearly feeling the pressure, was heard on the stump mic urging injured pacer Akash Deep to return to action in a moment that's since gone viral. Earlier in the day, Akash Deep took a painful blow to the shin when Harry Brook smashed a straight drive that struck the bowler flush on his right leg. Akash went down immediately, clutching his shin in agony. Though he managed to finish his over, it was clear he wasn't at full fitness. Morne Morkel hails Mohammed Siraj, reflects on Day 4 twist and rain delay Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Post-lunch, with England gaining momentum and spin not offering much, Gill was desperate to rotate his seamers. After Washington Sundar's short spell failed to make an impact, Gill looked toward Akash again. That's when the stump mic captured him saying: "Injection liya kya tum?" Watch: He was asking whether Akash had taken a painkiller injection to get back into the attack. He repeated it for emphasis, underscoring India's urgency as England chased down a steep target of 374. Meanwhile, England's batters continued to dominate. Joe Root notched up his 39th Test century, while Harry Brook registered his 10th, adding 195 runs together for the fourth wicket. Their partnership propelled England to 339/6 by stumps, leaving them just 35 runs away from sealing the series 3-1. Rain and bad light brought an early close to the day's play, with Jamie Smith and Jamie Overton at the crease. Among India's bowlers, Prasidh Krishna was the standout with three wickets, while Siraj chipped in with two. For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the India vs England Test match here. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Time of India
21 minutes ago
- Time of India
IND vs ENG: Injury rules Jasprit Bumrah out of 5th Test, not workload - all you need to know
Jasprit Bumrah of India (Photo by) India's premier fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah was ruled out of the fifth and final Test against England at The Oval, not for workload management, as initially speculated, but due to a knee injury. A report in Mumbai Mirror has confirmed that the decision was precautionary in nature. The BCCI, in its July 31 release, simply stated: 'Bumrah has been released from India's squad for the fifth Test of the series against England.' No mention of an injury was made at the time, prompting questions and criticism from some quarters. Morne Morkel hails Mohammed Siraj, reflects on Day 4 twist and rain delay Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! However, a BCCI official clarified the situation, saying: 'Unfortunately, Bumrah is suffering from a knee injury. The good thing is that it's not a major one and won't require surgery. The BCCI medical team is currently awaiting his scan reports.' The 31-year-old speedster is expected to begin his rehabilitation at the BCCI's Centre of Excellence (CoE). Despite missing the final match, Bumrah had a strong series, claiming 14 wickets in three matches at an average of 26.00, including two five-wicket hauls. His most notable spell came in the fourth Test at Old Trafford, where he toiled for 33 overs on a flat pitch and returned figures of 2/112. Poll What is your prediction for the outcome of the fifth Test at The Oval? India will win England will win It will end in a draw Too close to call Bumrah's absence in the crucial final Test stirred debate, especially given his injury history. After a long layoff due to a back stress fracture earlier this year, sustained during the New Year's Test in Sydney, this knee issue marks a fresh fitness concern. Looking ahead, Bumrah's availability for the upcoming Asia Cup (starting September 9 in the UAE) and the October Test series against the West Indies remains uncertain, with updates expected soon. Meanwhile, England edged closer to a series win on Sunday. On Day 4 at The Oval, Joe Root (105) and Harry Brook (111) stitched a 195-run partnership, helping England reach 339/6, just 35 runs shy of their target. For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the India vs England Test match here. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
