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Mahika Gaur, born on March 9, 2006, in Reading, England, is a left-arm medium-fast bowler. She made her T20I debut on January 19, 2019, in Bangkok against Indonesia Women, just ten months after turning 12. Few could have predicted at the time that this towering teenager, barely out of childhood, would soon be charting an international path unlike any other, representing two nations before she could legally drive. Raised partly in the United Arab Emirates, Mahika’s cricketing roots grew firm in the sun-drenched nets of Dubai, where she joined the prestigious ICC Academy. Her tall frame and fluid action immediately set her apart. Possessing the natural gift of swing — both into and away from the right-hander — she gave the impression of a seasoned campaigner far beyond her years. At just 12, she broke into the UAE national team, becoming one of the youngest players ever to debut in a T20 International. Her raw ability quickly made her an indispensable part of the UAE bowling attack, and by the age of 16, she had already played in over a dozen T20Is for the side. But her story was far from ordinary. Armed with a British passport and even greater ambition, Mahika's potential was spotted during the ICC Academy’s exhibition at Expo 2020 Dubai. Lancashire’s then Director of Cricket Warren Hegg, along with captain Keaton Jennings, noticed her seamless left-arm action and accurate rhythm. Encouraged by her eligibility to play for England, Mahika was recruited to Lancashire’s Thunder Academy setup and began a new chapter in the UK. In 2023, she graduated from the academy ranks and began turning heads in England’s domestic circuit. Playing for Thunder in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, she delivered a statement performance against Western Storm — 3 for 39 — showcasing her knack for breakthroughs and control. Her domestic progress didn’t stop there. In The Hundred that same year, Mahika represented Manchester Originals, bagging four wickets in six matches w
