Once dominated exclusively by men, cricket has evolved into a sport where women now play a pivotal role. In this new era, one promising talent from Kodagu has stepped up to prove her mettle. 15 year old Odiyanda Rohini Dechamma has been making remarkable strides in cricket, capturing the attention of sports enthusiasts across the state.
Rohini, a right‑handed batter and right‑arm bowler, shines as an all‑rounder. Currently representing the Under‑15 state team, she is already being talked about as a future player for India. Opening the innings alongside Liyanka Shetty, she has been instrumental in leading her team to victory on numerous occasions. In an Under‑15 girls’ one‑day match organized by the BCCI, she contributed 42 runs to Karnataka’s 10‑wicket win against New Delhi. The memorable partnership she shared with Shetty – a stand worth 101 runs – showcased her remarkable batting ability.
The emergence of cricket in Kodagu has created fresh opportunities for local girls, and Rohini has seized the moment. At the Chekkera cricket tournament in Hudikeri, she announced her arrival by hitting a century in her very first match. In a subsequent match, she demonstrated her aggressive flair, smashing 23 runs off just 7 balls to secure victory for her team. Representing the Odiyanda family, she guided her team to the women’s finals.
Aiming for the Tricolor
For Rohini, representing India is the ultimate dream. She describes cricket as her passion and finds joy in the idea of playing professionally for the country. The young cricketer has already made a mark by scoring an unbeaten 95 in an Under‑15 girls’ one‑day match and a century of 121 runs in a club‑level match. In that innings, she hit an impressive 27 boundaries and a six, making it evident that she is a force to be reckoned with. At just 13, she gained widespread recognition for excelling in a match that featured players up to the age of 23. As a member of the Tippasandra Team in Bengaluru, she wowed spectators by hitting 6 sixes in 6 balls against Maruti Seva Nagar Team.
Born to Odiyanda Sathi and Sarita(née Addanda) in Surlabbi village, Rohini balances both cricket and academics with equal focus. Her father, supports and guides her passion for the sport, while her mother provides constant encouragement.
Rohini has been training at the KIOC(Karnataka Institute of Cricket) Training Center in Shivaji Nagar, Bengaluru, for the past four years. Since starting cricket at the age of nine, she has dedicated herself to the sport, making the training center at Chinnaswamy Stadium her second home.
Rohini is determined to pursue her dream. Today, she practices alongside national‑level women cricketers – a testament to her hard work and passion.
I know Rohini’s parents very well, and we are all extremely proud of her achievements at such a young age. Her father, Sathi Yogesh, works as a gunman at HAL and is the sole earning member of the family. Her mother is a dedicated homemaker, taking care of the household and supporting all of Rohini’s needs.
We are really proud of her and appreciate her parents for their dedication and their sacrifice. God bless the family and all of us Kodavas would love to see her wearing the Indian Jersey in the not too distant future.
Many congratulations to Rohini and proud parents. Can’t wait to watch Rohini rise through the ranks and make her mark in the world of cricket.
Success is not guaranteed but one has to be prepared to cope with failure; never give up especially when there is a support from all who matter, most importantly immediate family.
Rohini’s dream is powerful, with her passion and potential, success is within reach. Coorg has many people with the right influence, now is the time to come together, recognize her talent, and help her rise without letting challenges stand in her way.
Heartfelt congratulations to Rohini Dechamma, the young and talented cricketer, on her remarkable achievements. Her dedication, discipline and passion for the sport makes us Kodavas proud. It is also delightful to see such talented yound Kodavathis shining in different fields – a testament to the shining spirit of women from Kodagu!
Her journey is an inspiration to many young girls aspiring to shine in sports. May Rohini continue to break boundaries, set new records, and reach greater heights in her cricketing career. Wishing her continued success and glory on and off the field!
Rohini clearly demonstrates exceptional talent. She deserves all the support that is needed to reach the higher levels of cricket attention in this highly competitive sport.
This is precisely one of the areas where institutions like the Kodava Samaja in Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore and Mysore should help nurture talent and get exposure for Rohini at the highest level.
One of the suggested next steps would be to get noticed and play for one of the Women’s Premier League teams – preferably RCB.
Is anyone listening – Robin Uthappa perhaps 🤔 ?
Proud to see young Kodavathis shining in every field of sports, academics, defence forces and more. Well done Rohini – we would be thrilled to see a Kodavathi donning Indian cricket colours!!
What an inspiring story!
As a passionate cricket fan, it’s heartening to see stories like that of Rohini Dechamma. At just 15, she’s already proving that talent, hard work, and determination can pave the way to greatness—regardless of age. Her all-round skills, both with the bat and ball, are truly impressive.
It’s especially encouraging to see young girls from places like Kodagu (Coorg) making their mark in cricket. With her dedication, family support, and love for the game, Rohini has a very bright future ahead. We wish her all the success who knows, maybe one day we’ll see her donning the Indian jersey!