India's lawn bowls pioneers: How a team of four bowled over a nation

After 2007 National Games, Assam and Jharkhand emerged as hubs of a fringe sport now capturing eyeballs thanks to the Commonwealth Games glory

“For most people it’s a new thing, and so you are intrigued by it. Maybe you will learn more about it soon,” Farzana Khan says, speaking from the sidelines of the state selection trials for the National Games next month. “For us, the players, the grind goes on. I’m here now for the trials. There are 11 of us, fighting for two places in the team. So yes, it’s a big day for us, even today…”

Khan, employed by the Jharkhand police and posted in Ranchi, is one of many lawn bowl players the state has produced over the years.