It became a night of celebration for thousands of Indian supporters at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Sunday, December 6th, when all-rounder Hardik Pandya smashed a six off Australia’s Daniel Sams' delivery in the second T20 international between Australia and India.
But for 16-year-old Adi Shah, the moment has become a lifetime memory.
It was not only India's victory that made her erupt in joy, she had managed to clinch the ball as it flew into the crowd off Pandya's bat.
“It was so crazy. Firstly, I couldn’t believe that the ball was coming to us. Then, I saw the ball like a little dot in the sky coming towards me,” she told SBS Gujarati. 
Adi Shah with the series winning ball at the SCG. Source: Sapna Shah
People around us were trying to catch the six, but I was so lucky to have the match-winning ball in my hand.
“For the first few seconds, I couldn’t believe that I got the historic ball,” she said.
Adi, a cricket enthusiast became a star within seconds after catching the ball when people in the stadium came to her and took photos with the ball. She also received several messages on social media congratulating her for snaring the ball.
“Lots of people wished me. I got messages from friends and family, even from India. They saw me having the ball in my hand on TV. It was an exciting time for me,” she says.
Received offers to sell the ball
The six that Hardik Pandya hit helped India not only win the second T20i match but also sealed the series, and Adi became a part of it.
She says she received a number of offers to sell the ball, some offering $500. However, she declined the offers and decided to keep the ball as a cherished memory.
Even her friends at school suggested she should sell it.
“When I went to school the next day, my friends who love cricket asked about the ball and gave me an idea to sell it to make some money."
I don’t need money by selling precious things. Hence, after thinking hard, I made up my mind to donate this ball to charity to raise some funds for the needy.
Donate to McGrath Foundation
While she had earlier decided to keep the ball with her as a lifetime memory, she had a change of mind about it. She says she is going to donate it to the McGrath Foundation to raise funds for breast cancer patients.
And in her noble thought, she also got support from her parents, Sapna and Ronak Shah.
Her mother Sapna was instrumental in inspiring her to donate the ball.
Adi Shah (2R) with her parents and family members at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) Source: Sapna Shah
"Adi has such a big heart. When she decided to do the charity, we felt so happy, and as proud parents, we offer her our support in this noble cause," she said.
Adi wrote to McGrath Foundation and informed them about her wish to donate the cricket ball.
“They were very happy with my offer and decided to auction the ball,” says Adi.
The organization will try to get Hardik Pandya’s autograph on the ball so that it attracts a good price. The highest bidder will receive the ball during the Pink Test between India and Australia starting from January 7th at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
“It is a little effort from me to raise funds. If it can bring joy to someone’s life, this will be the best celebration of the Indian cricket team’s triumph,” says Adi.
