N Sree Charani becomes first woman from YSR-Kadapa to make it to Indian cricket team

Having recently taken an impressive six-wicket haul in the Challengers Trophy—following a strong debut for Delhi Capitals in the Women’s Premier League (WPL), where she recorded figures of 2/42 and 2/28 in her two appearances—Charani credits her cricketing journey to her uncle, Kishore Kumar Reddy.

Hyderabad: For N. Sree Charani, it is a ‘rare’ first! Well, this 20-year-old cricketer has become the first woman cricketer from YSR-Kadapa District of Andhra Pradesh to be selected for the Indian team which will play the tri-series in Colombo soon.

And, apparently, Charani’s joy knew no bounds even as she “was not completely surprised” by the national call. “As they say, it is a dream come true for me,” she said.

For someone who claimed an impressive six-wicket haul only recently in the Challengers Trophy and this after a pretty impressive debut for Delhi Capitals in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) where she returned with figures of two for 42 and two for 28 in the two games she played, Charani owes her cricketing career to her uncle Kishore Kumar Reddy.

“It is he who has made me play the game since I was eight. Initially, I used to bowl pace but slowly started bowling spin. There was no specific reason for that,”recalls Charani in a chat with ‘Telangana Today’.

“The objective has always been to keep improving with each game. As the seniors and coaches keep telling, there is no end to learning and no one can be a complete cricketer. So, I will continue to work to get the desired results,” said the BSc final year student from VRS Degree College (Veerapunayunipalle).

“There is no better joy for me than contributing to the team’s cause. That has a special feeling. And, I am eagerly awaiting for the opportunity to help the Indian team win the big matches,” said Charani, who is the younger of the two sisters in her family with father a Government employee and mother housewife.

Apparently, Delhi Capitals talent scouting team spotted her when she was playing for the Andhra seniors in the T-20 championship in Mumbai. “Honestly, I was not aware when they saw me. But, I presume it was in Mumbai. Anyhow, that is the best possible thing I could have expected for,” she said.

What are the strongpoints? “The variations, control over line and length. My willingness to experiment and buy wickets,” said a confident Charani. “But, I am keen to develop into a more consistent bowling all-rounder, though I bat down the order right now,” she said.

“I always look up to my uncle about my game. He is the biggest source of inspiration and a true mentor,” Charani signed off.