Perth, March 1 -- One day, Sushmita Lepcha found herself added to the Indian women's national team WhatsApp group. There had been no prior conversation telling her she had been selected. Fora few seconds, she was confused.
"I was added to the group, and I had not received any information before that," she recalled. The bewilderment persisted until her East Bengal club coach, Anthony Andrews, confirmed it to her.
"He told me, 'Yes, you've been called up'," said Sushmita.
For someone who had never imagined wearing India's blue jersey, the moment felt surreal. It was going to be her first national team camp, and not just any camp, but one leading into the AFC Women's Asian Cup in Australia, where India had qualified after 23 years.
Sushmit...