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Shree Charani, a 20-year-old left-arm spinner from Andhra Pradesh, made headlines with her remarkable debut performance for the Indian women’s cricket team. In the first T20 International against England at Trent Bridge, Nottingham, Charani picked up four wickets for just 12 runs. This outstanding spell not only helped limit England’s strong batting lineup but also introduced a fresh bowling talent to Indian cricket fans.
Charani’s journey to the national team has been shaped by years of dedication and guidance, especially from former India captain Mithali Raj. Mithali spotted Charani’s potential early when she was playing for Andhra Pradesh in the senior women’s domestic circuit. She supported Charani through thick and thin, even when injuries delayed her chances at the national level. Her faith paid off when Charani was finally called up to the Indian team earlier this year.
During her T20I debut, Charani wore a blue headband and bowled with determination and sharp control. She stepped up when India needed breakthroughs. England was already in a dominant position, but Charani’s spell broke their rhythm. Despite India losing the match by 97 runs, Charani’s performance stood out.
Her bowling figures from the debut read four wickets for just 12 runs, which is among the best by any Indian debutant in women’s T20Is. Before this game, Charani had played only a handful of domestic matches and five ODIs, where she had also shown promise by picking up two wickets for 26 runs in her best performance.
What sets Charani apart is her calm presence on the field and the ability to stay focused. According to her mentor and senior cricketer Vanitha, Charani is never distracted by the crowd or the pressure. She follows a disciplined routine, avoids mobile phones during practice, and remains in control of her emotions, whether she is bowling or batting. This kind of mental strength is rare in young athletes.
Charani was bought by Delhi Capitals for ₹55 lakh in the Women’s Premier League (WPL). In the WPL final against Mumbai Indians, she took two wickets and impressed everyone with her economy rate of 3.13. At the domestic level, she played for India B and helped the team win the Senior Women’s Multi-day Challenger Trophy. She also took five wickets in a match against India A, which boosted her chances of national selection.
Her rise is also important for Andhra Pradesh’s women’s cricket. The region had not produced many international stars in recent years. But the state association and its leadership have taken steps to change that. They improved training facilities and promoted players like Charani, who now serve as role models for young girls dreaming of a cricket career.
Vanitha believes Charani could soon become India’s main left-arm spinner. She also expects Charani to be part of the ODI team that will face Australia, England and Sri Lanka in upcoming series. Her consistent form and the ability to handle pressure make her a valuable asset for India’s bowling attack.
Charani idolises Yuvraj Singh and tries to follow his fearless style of play. In the recent tri-series in Sri Lanka, she picked up six wickets from five matches. She continued her good form into the England tour, where her bowling troubled experienced batters like Nat Sciver-Brunt.
India’s stand-in skipper Smriti Mandhana praised Charani after the match. She said that although India lost, performances like Charani’s give hope for the future. Mandhana added that it is important to build a strong team by giving more chances to new players like Charani.
The second T20 match against England will be played in Bristol. All eyes will once again be on Shree Charani. Fans are eager to see if this promising youngster can continue her excellent form. For now, her story is a reminder that talent, hard work and mentorship can lead to success, no matter how challenging the path.
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