Young female Tibetan cricketer breaks into India’s cricket scene

Read RFA coverage of this story in Tibetan.

A 19-year-old has made history as the first Tibetan female cricketer to break into India’s highly competitive state-level cricket scene.

Jetsun Narbu competes for the all-women’s Mumbai Cricket Association — the city’s top state-level team — and has her sights on the Indian national team.

Narbu, who was born in Mumbai and has Indian citizenship, told Radio Free Asia that she hopes to use her platform to raise awareness about Tibetan identity and culture on the international stage.

“I want to represent India and bring attention to my Tibetan heritage through cricket,” she said. “And If I could achieve that as a Tibetan cricketer, it would be a dream come true.”

Narbu’s rise in cricket marks a significant milestone, both for her as an athlete and for the Tibetan community in India. 

Indians are passionate about cricket. Played everywhere from crowded city streets to dirt lanes of rural villages, the sport unites people of all ages and backgrounds.

Early seeds

Narbu’s love for cricket developed during her childhood, when she first saw her father watching a match of female cricket players on TV. The image of women playing a traditionally male-dominated sport captivated her, fueling her ambition to become a cricketer. 

Encouraged by her father, Narbu Chee, she started training to be a cricketer at the age of 13. 

Narbu developed her athletics skills with help from Indian coaches and strong family support, and has played in multiple tournaments, including Under-19 and T20 competitions, representing various teams at a state and national levels. 

In 2021, Narbu represented the northeastern state of Sikkim during the Women’s Senior One-Day Trophy and the T-20 Women’s Senior Tournament. In 2023, Narbu represented Mumbai in the national T20 and under-19 ODI tournaments. 

As a university student, Narbu studies finance at Jai Hind College in Mumbai and hopes to land a job in investment banking with the specialization in mergers and acquisitions.

Ethnic background

Narbu said she has never experienced discrimination based on her ethnicity, though she has occasionally noticed curious glances from Indian onlookers because of her different facial features. 

“In sports, skills and dedication should matter more than your background or ethnicity,” she said, underscoring her belief in merit over identity.

Her ambition, however, does come with challenges. 

Competing in a sport where few Tibetan women are visible, Narbu is paving her path with little precedent, which can be both daunting and empowering, she says. 

“Whatever sport you choose, focus on your training and commitment,” she said. “Through sports, we can not only showcase our talents but also bring attention to Tibet’s culture and cause.”

Additional reporting by Tenzin Dickyi for RFA Tibetan. Translated by Dawa Dolma. Edited by Roseanne Gerin and Malcolm Foster.