Left at birth in a Garbage Bin in Pune; From Abandonment to the Hall of Fame: Lisa Sthalekar’s Journey is the Stuff of Legends
Left at birth in a Garbage Bin in Pune; From Abandonment to the Hall of Fame: Lisa Sthalekar’s Journey is the Stuff of Legends
Lisa Sthalekar defied every odd to become one of cricket’s most revered names.
Born in Pune and abandoned as a newborn, Lisa Sthalekar’s life story could have been one of despair. Instead, it became a saga of triumph. Adopted at three weeks old by an Australian couple visiting India, Lisa’s life took an extraordinary turn, one that would eventually lead her to the pinnacle of world cricket.
Named Laila at the Srivastava Orphanage where she was first taken in, her fate changed when Sue and Haren Sthalekar chose to adopt her, despite originally planning to adopt a boy. Captivated by the baby’s bright eyes, Sue’s maternal instinct led them to embrace Laila as their own, renaming her Lisa.
The family’s journey spanned continents, first the US, then Kenya before they finally settled in Sydney, Australia. It was here, in the family backyard, that Lisa’s love affair with cricket began. Introduced to the game by her father, Lisa started playing with local boys, slowly honing her skills as an all-rounder.
Balancing cricket and academics with equal rigour, Lisa broke into the professional scene in 1997, representing New South Wales in domestic cricket. Four years later, she made her international debut for Australia in an ODI against England in 2001, scoring a run and taking two wickets.
Over the next decade, Lisa became a cornerstone of the Australian women’s team. She played across all three formats, earning accolades and leadership roles. Her career spanned:
- 8 Tests: 416 runs, 23 wickets
- 125 ODIs: 2,728 runs, 146 wickets
- 54 T20Is: 769 runs, 60 wickets
She was part of four World Cup-winning teams, including the 2005 and 2013 ODIs, and 2010 and 2012 T20Is. She also received the Belinda Clark Award twice, recognizing her as the best female cricketer in Australia.
Lisa retired right after winning the 2013 World Cup leaving the sport not just with a glittering record, but a legacy of grit, grace, and inspiration.
Her story is a powerful reminder: no matter where you begin, your destiny can be rewritten with courage and opportunity. Lisa Sthalekar didn’t just break boundaries on the field, she redefined what’s possible off it too.
