Riva Pindoria, the South Asian Cricket Academy’s first female graduate [Steven Fletcher/www.focuscomms.co.uk]

MIDDLESEX batter Riva Pindoria has become the South Asian Cricket Academy’s (SACA) first-ever female graduate after agreeing a two-year rookie contract with Lancashire Cricket Women.

The 20-year-old has signed a deal until the end of the 2028 season. In doing so, she becomes the 20th player to graduate through the SACA system and earn a professional contract with a first-class county, and, more importantly, is the first-ever female player to do so following the launch of the SACA’s women’s programme earlier this year.

Pindoria has represented Middlesex in tier two of the women’s domestic county structure, and steps up to tier one with Lancashire after a successful 2026 season.

For Middlesex, the top-order batter finished this season’s Vitality Blast with a strike rate of 127, top-scoring with a knock of 52 not out off just 28 balls against Sussex back in July.

For the SACA, her highest score of 55 not out came in her debut T20 appearance against Glamorgan in June, helping SACA seal a convincing nine-wicket victory.

After swapping Lord’s in St John’s Wood for Manchester, Pindoria said: “I am extremely proud and excited to sign a contract with Lancashire. It is a huge milestone in my career, and I can’t wait to get started in the coming months.

“I am really drawn to the project at Emirates Old Trafford cricket ground and believe I can contribute to help the squad achieve their goals over the coming years.

“I am looking forward to joining a talented group, and really getting stuck into things during my time at Lancashire.”