Telugu-origin Anika Reddy Kolan to lead U.S. in U-19 World Cup T20 in Malaysia
Hyderabad: The United States has announced its squad for the Women’s Under-19 World Cup T20 cricket tournament, which will take place in Malaysia from January 18 to February 2, 2024. The 15-member team will be captained by Anika Reddy Kolan, a rising talent of Telugu origin who will lead the U.S. team in this prestigious competition.
Anika Reddy Kolan, born in Tracy, California, will captain a squad that includes fellow Telugu-born players Pagidiyala Chetana Reddy, Immadi Saanvi, and Sasha Vallabhaneni.
The tournament will be played at four venues in Malaysia, with 16 teams divided into four groups. The U.S. is placed in Group B alongside England, Pakistan, and Ireland. Defending champions India, West Indies, Sri Lanka, and Malaysia make up Group A, while Group C features New Zealand, South Africa, Nigeria, and Samoa. Group D includes Australia, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Scotland.
The entire U.S. U-19 squad is Kolan Anika Reddy (captain); Aditiba Chudasama (vice-captain); Pagidiyala Chetana Reddy; Chetana Prasad; Disha Dhingra; Isani Mahesh Vaghela; Lekha Hanumanth Shetty; Mahi Madhavan; Nikhar Pinku Doshi; Pooja Ganesh; Pooja Shah; Ritupriya Singh; Immadi Saanvi; Sasha Vallabhaneni; Suhani Thadani.
Anika Reddy Kolan was born in Tracy, California, on August 18, 2006. She debuted for the U.S. women’s national team in October 2021 during the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Americas Qualifier in Mexico, where she played her first match against Brazil.
A month later, Anika Reddy Kolan was also named in the U.S. squad for the 2021 Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier in Harare, Zimbabwe. She made her second appearance for the U.S. team against Zimbabwe in November 2021. Anika Reddy Kolan is a right-handed batter and wicket-keeper.
Anika Reddy’s passion for cricket began at the age of nine when she started playing in her family’s garage. Supported by her father, Suresh Reddy Kolan, and mother, Manjula Kolan, who acted as her trainers and equipment suppliers, Anika developed her skills at home. With their encouragement, she fulfilled her childhood dream of representing the United States in international cricket.
