City’s Aishwarya, Monali in softball team for Asiad

Pune: City girls Monali Natu and Aishwarya Bodke have been selected in the Indian women’s softball team for the Asian Games to be held in Hangzhou, China, from September 23. The 16-member team includes five from Maharashtra.“If the softball matches are shown on television, it will be the first time my parents will see me play. I have played in nationals and one international tournament, but they are yet to see me in action,” Monali, 26, whose father is a farmer in Pimpalgaon, said.Monali switched from cricket to softball in 2017. Monali said that she didn’t find the transition difficult as the sports are similar. “There are throws, hitting the ball, fielding in softball, much like cricket. “I played cricket for two years but took softball in standard 12. A year later I got selected in the Indian team and played the Asian Championships in China,” Monali said.Aishwarya, daughter of an autorickshaw driver, has been playing softball for the past 13 years.“I started playing when I was 11. It started in school and I continued it when I reached college. “I am happy that we will be making our Asiad debut,” Aishwarya, 24, said.Considering the Indian women’s softball team’s regular participation in the Asian championships, Softball Asia granted a wild card entry to India.Indian women’s softball team: Aishwarya Ramesh Puri, Aishwarya Sunil Bodke, Monali Mansing Natu, Swapnali C. Waydnade, Saee Anil Joshi, Anjali Pallikkara, Stephy Saji, Rinta Cheriyan, Mamatha Guguloth, Ganga Sona, Mamta Minhas, Sandeep Kaur, Kumari Manisha, Isha, Swetasini Sabar, Nitya Malvi. Standby: Priyanka Baghel.