Hasrat Gill — a 20-year-old all-rounder for Victoria and Sydney Thunder — has emerged as a rising star in Australian cricket, discovering the sport at age 10 while watching the 2016 Women's T20 World Cup.
Born in Amritsar, India, Gill moved to Australia at age 2.5. She has represented Australia at the 2025 ICC Under-19 Women's T20 World Cup and played alongside Meg Lanning and Phoebe Litchfield.
She now aspires to play for the senior Australian team.
A Broader Shift in Junior Cricket
Gill's development coincides with a boom in South Asian participation in Australian junior cricket.
In Victoria:
- South Asian participation increased 5% year-on-year in 2025
- Junior cricket is up 20%
- Women's and girls' participation is up 16%
South Asian youth now make up up to 40% of some junior age groups, often outnumbering participants in traditional Australian sports.
“Cricket acts as a cultural connector for second-generation immigrants.”
The Role of Visibility
Gill attributes the trend to the visibility of players like Usman Khawaja and Alana King, noting that representation matters deeply for young athletes from migrant backgrounds.
She hopes to see more South Asian representation not only in cricket, but also in other Australian sports like soccer and AFL.