I hadn’t seen many athletes come back to sport after maternity, but I was sure I could do it, says Devika Vaidya

Devika Vaidya (Photo Source: Twitter)

Devika Vaidya, the 29-year-old leg-spin bowling allrounder, stepped away from competitive cricket in 2024 after marriage and the birth of her son Dhruv in June 2025. Her two-year hiatus marked one of the highest-profile attempts by an Indian cricketer to return to the sport after motherhood. Now, as she prepares to resume competitive play in the Senior Women’s T20 Trophy starting October 26, Vaidya has opened up about her journey, her doubts and the support system that made her comeback possible.

Vaidya was recalled to the Indian team in December 2022 after a five-year absence and went on to play in the 2023 T20 World Cup and the inaugural Women’s Premier League. She received a central contract that year. In March 2024, she was selected for the West Zone squad in the women’s domestic red-ball competition, which was returning after six years. She married in April 2024, and her BCCI contract was set to run out in September 2024.

“For the last 15 to 18 years, I had played a lot of cricket, so it was getting a little monotonous for me,” Vaidya said as quoted by ESPN.

Vaidya did not have a return date in mind when she went on hiatus, nor was she certain she would come back to cricket at all. Yet she held a quiet conviction about her own capability. She believed that if she wanted to resume playing, she definitely would be able to do so. Even without plans to return, cricket remained part of her life during her time away from the game.

“I remember my first day back at the gym – I was really sad that I couldn’t even do a single crunch. I couldn’t do a single push-up or pull-up. That is when I panicked a little, because I have always loved gymming,” Vaidya said.

How did Vaidya rebuild her fitness after giving birth?

A few months into her fitness routine, Vaidya felt a new urge. She wanted to bat again for the first time which was about two years. Her body had regained shape through consistent training, and the prospect of returning to cricket began to feel achievable. She was uncertain about the level at which she wanted to play, but the desire to bat was undeniable. She returned to the nets, where her father gave her throwdowns. Unlike her first gym session, she was mentally prepared for her cricketing skills to be worn out and did not panic when she found them to be so.

“But cover drive toh tar laaglach paahije. [I should be able to connect on a cover drive.] Surprisingly, batting was pretty easy. But bowling was hard, because the run-up, rhythm, I was doing it all after two years,” Vaidya said.

“Bowling took a lot of time. But I was not very frustrated with the cricket part. I did not panic about it,” she added.

What was Vaidya’s first comeback performance?

Vaidya played her first comeback match in an invitation game for Maharashtra selection before the 2026-27 season. She scored 84 not out.

“I was happy because it was my first outing in two years. [Tejal] was happy that I stepped out on the first ball against a spinner and hit a boundary. It was that intent that made her happy, because that is what matters in cricket right now,” Vaidya said.

“After my pregnancy, I have focused on myself. I have never really thought about what someone else is doing or what I should do to be better than someone else. I have been in my own zone, getting better each day, because I had a lot on my plate. I had to reach my original level of fitness and then get better than that,” she added.

An Ashoka University report published in June found that approximately 73% of Indian women leave their jobs after childbirth, and 48% of those who return to the workplace quit within four months of rejoining. Vaidya acknowledges that she faced fewer obstacles than many other working women in similar circumstances, thanks to her family’s support.

“And then I get the confidence that if I have this much, I ought to play well. That’s all I want at this point,” Vaidya said.

The guidelines specify flexible training environments, continued access to facilities and services, childcare advice, suitable spaces for feeding or caring for babies at playing venues, and travel support where possible. The BCCI has not yet drawn up a maternity policy at the central level. However, the Maharashtra Cricket Association has demonstrated accommodation towards Vaidya, providing flexibility in training schedules and intensity adjustments.

They have also arranged separate accommodation during pre-season training games away so that someone can travel with her to help with the baby. Maharashtra’s pre-season camp, which started earlier than usual this season, allowed Vaidya to assess her fitness against expected standards and clear her yo-yo tests before the season began. She will return to competitive cricket in the Senior Women’s T20 Trophy, which starts on October 26, with the WPL 2027 auction in Kochi scheduled two days later on October 28.

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