India’s young spinner Vaishnavi Sharma is aiming to build on a promising start to her international career and cement her place in the team’s white-ball plans.
The 20-year-old made her senior India debut against Sri Lanka in Vizag on Sunday, delivering a tidy performance in the opening match of the series. Vaishnavi bowled a disciplined four-over spell, conceding just 16 runs at an economy of 4, helping India secure an eight-wicket win while keeping the Sri Lankan batters in check.
Although she did not claim a wicket, Vaishnavi impressed with her control and consistency, conceding no boundaries against a strong batting line-up. She looked composed on debut at the Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium and integrated seamlessly into the side.
Speaking to the media after the match, she admitted to feeling nervous before the national anthem but said her confidence grew once play began.
“I was nervous before the national anthem. After that, I calmed down. I am very happy that I was able to execute my plan. There are four more matches to go in the series,” Vaishnavi said.
She earned her maiden international cap following a standout performance at the ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup earlier this year, finishing as the tournament’s leading wicket-taker with 17 wickets at an average of 4.35.
With the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup less than six months away, India captain Harmanpreet Kaur has indicated that the series is being used to give opportunities to emerging players. Vaishnavi is determined to make the most of her chance and turn her long-held ambition into a lasting reality.
“We have worked hard for this. Our dream is to represent India and contribute. I can’t say much about the future. Let’s leave it to God,” she added.
— IANS
