KOLKATA — The transition from the cricket pitch to the meticulously manicured lawns of the bowling green is not a path commonly traveled, but for Pinki Singh, it has been a journey defined by unconventional brilliance. Long before she became a household name and a Commonwealth Games gold medallist, Pinki was a staple of the Delhi women’s cricket circuit, sharing the field with titans of the game like Mithali Raj. Yet, nearly two decades after trading her cricket bat for a bowl, the Arjuna Awardee remains a titan of Indian sport, now setting her sights on a new international challenge: a high-stakes Test series in New Zealand.
The upcoming series, held in commemoration of the centenary of sporting relations between India and New Zealand, serves as a testament to both the historical ties between the nations and the enduring career of one of India’s most decorated athletes.
From the Cricket Pitch to the Green
Pinki’s athletic evolution is nothing short of remarkable. A physical education teacher at Delhi Public School, RK Puram, her sporting pedigree was forged in the heat of competition. She spent half a decade representing Delhi in the Rani Jhansi Trophy, displaying enough leadership and tactical acumen to serve as captain for her university cricket side. Her versatility was further underscored by a background in competitive football, where she competed at both the university and national levels.
However, the year 2006 marked a permanent redirection in her professional life. As the national sporting infrastructure began to churn in anticipation of the 2010 Commonwealth Games, coaches scouting for talent identified a unique temperament in Pinki. “I got to know about the sport in 2006 when some of the coaches came to our school to train players as part of the preparations for the 2010 Commonwealth Games,” Pinki shared during an interaction in Kolkata ahead of her departure for Auckland. “Then, at the 2007 National Games in Guwahati, lawn bowls was introduced for the first time. I was picked for the Delhi team because the coaches felt I had the patience required for the sport.”
That initial appraisal was spot on. Pinki immediately made her mark by podiuming in her debut National Games appearance, setting the stage for a career that would eventually peak on the world’s biggest stages.
A Legacy of Gold and Resilience
Almost 20 years later, the accolades speak for themselves. Pinki is a pillar of the Indian lawn bowls program, best known for her instrumental role in the historic women’s fours team that captured India’s first-ever lawn bowls gold medal at the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games. Beyond the Commonwealth glory, her trophy cabinet is bolstered by multiple medals from the Asian Lawn Bowls Championships, marking her as a perennial force in the sport.
Despite the monumental success she has found on the green, the bond with her first love remains unbreakable. Reflecting on her cricket days, her eyes light up when discussing the sheer competition of the sport. “I remember Mithali playing a cut shot while I was fielding at point, and I managed to take the catch,” she recalled, a vivid memory that highlights the level at which she once operated.
Yet, when pressed on whether she harbors any regrets about stepping away from the cricket world, Pinki is unequivocal. “People often ask me why I didn’t continue with cricket, but I’ve never felt that I made a mistake,” she asserted. “I followed what gave me satisfaction and happiness. If I had chased money, I might not have earned the medals, honours, and experiences that I have today. Cricket will always remain close to my heart, but I am proud of the path I chose in lawn bowls.”
Mentoring the Next Generation
As the Indian contingent prepares for the New Zealand tour, the focus for the veteran campaigner has shifted toward legacy and mentorship. Leading a four-member squad that includes young talent like Jharkhand’s Reshma Kumari, Pinki views her role as more than just a competitor; she is a steward of the game’s culture.
“As senior players, we always tell the younger ones to stay calm and patient,” she explained. “Give your best every time you step onto the green. If you lose, you learn. If you win, you push for even greater heights.”
This philosophy of constant evolution is what has kept her at the elite level for two decades. Even as she prepares to face the challenging conditions of the Kiwi greens, her hunger remains insatiable. For Pinki Singh, the motivation is simple: the pride of the tricolor and the relentless pursuit of excellence.
“It’s simply my love for the game,” she concluded. “Once you’ve achieved something, you want to maintain that standard and keep representing India with pride.” As she boards the flight to Auckland, the expectations are high, but if history is any indication, Pinki Singh is exactly where she needs to be: ready to prove that the best way to move forward is to never stop perfecting your craft.
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