Twenty-five years ago in Chennai, cricket was something you watched, not something you built a life around, especially not as a woman. For Aarti Sankaran, the idea of sport as a profession was unfamiliar territory. The scepticism was real. The path was unclear. But the love for the game was undeniable.
Aarti began her career at 20, late by sporting standards but early enough to transform her life.
Women’s cricket back then was not played under bright lights. It unfolded through second-class train journeys, cramped hostels, poor sanitation, and simple meals. Comfort was rare. Recognition was rarer. Yet within those tight spaces lived something powerful: belief. A tightly knit team that travelled together, struggled together, and grew together. Those bonds remain unbroken even today.
From 2003 to 2009, Aarti captained the Tamil Nadu team. In 2005, she stood on the edge of representing the Indian women’s cricket team. Close enough to see it. It did not happen. But disappointment never overshadowed devotion. For her, cricket was always bigger than personal milestones.
After retirement, she did not walk away. She stayed. She coached state teams and built opportunities. After COVID, she started a women’s cricket academy, reaching beyond the city into districts where talent often waits without access.
An unexpected opportunity at the BCCI Centre of Excellence allowed her to mentor coaches themselves. Broadcasting came into her life by chance. Since it kept her connected to the game, she embraced it. Though limited to the regional level, it was exactly the audience she wanted to influence. By sharing deeper insights and meaningful information, she continued to create impact.
As part of She Is The Story 2026 by The People Story, her journey leaves a powerful message. Not every goal unfolds as planned. She may not have reached the milestone she once aimed for, but she embraced every role, every opportunity, every challenge with her whole heart. True legacy is not always reaching the top; it is staying committed to your passion, making peace with life’s path, and lifting others higher.
