Thailand Cricketer's Bruising Quest to Perfect Suryakumar Yadav's Signature Shot
In a display of remarkable dedication, Thailand women's cricket team batter Natthakan Chantham has been accumulating bruises during intense net sessions, all in pursuit of mastering Indian superstar Suryakumar Yadav's trademark 'Supla shot'. This innovative stroke involves going down on one knee to scoop the ball over fine leg or square leg, requiring exceptional timing and courage.
Relentless Practice Despite Repeated Injuries
The determined cricketer has been struck repeatedly while attempting to perfect this challenging shot during practice. After each impact, Chantham receives treatment from the physio, pads up again, and immediately returns to rehearsing the stroke. Her stubborn persistence reflects a deep commitment to executing the Supla shot with the same finesse and fearlessness as her idol Suryakumar Yadav.
"I admire Suryakumar Yadav. He is a fearless batter," Chantham revealed in an exclusive interview with TimesofIndia.com. "I love the shots he plays over square leg and fine leg — those are my favourites. He plays with so much freedom and without any pressure; you can't see any fear in his eyes."
Preparing for ACC Women's Asia Cup Rising Stars 2026
Nicknamed 'Jeans' by her teammates, Chantham is expected to showcase a wide range of innovative strokes — including her favourite Surya-inspired shot — in the upcoming ACC Women's Asia Cup Rising Stars 2026 tournament, which begins on Friday in Bangkok. Thailand will open their campaign against Malaysia on Saturday.
"I'm 100 percent ready for the Asia Cup because I have been waiting for a big tournament like this," Chantham declared. "Our team is well prepared and ready to go."
Tournament Structure and Defending Champions
The tournament features eight teams divided into two groups. Group A consists of India, Pakistan, UAE, and Nepal, while Group B includes Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Malaysia, and Thailand. India enter as defending champions, having lifted the inaugural title in 2023 after defeating Bangladesh in the final.
Childhood Inspiration and Cricket Journey
Chantham's admiration for Suryakumar Yadav dates back to her childhood, when she first attempted to emulate his batting style. "As a kid, I always tried to copy Suryakumar Yadav," she confessed. "I got hit many times, sometimes bled too, while trying to perfect that shot, but I never gave up."
The batter also expressed her desire to meet the Indian star someday, joking that she would ask for his bat if given the opportunity.
Chantham's cricket journey began at age nine when she accidentally fell in love with the sport while hitting balls with a plastic bat. Her father, a schoolteacher, initially encouraged academic focus but later became her biggest supporter after recognizing her passion. Her mother runs a beauty parlour, and Chantham hopes to win the tournament for both parents.
Experience and Playing Style
With 14 ODIs and 114 T20Is in her career so far, Chantham has established herself as an experienced international cricketer. She describes herself as an attacking batter who enjoys stepping out of the crease and taking the game on without putting pressure on herself. Beyond Suryakumar Yadav, she also admires explosive hitters Brendon McCullum and Chris Gayle.
The ACC Women's Asia Cup Rising Stars 2026 promises to showcase emerging talent from across the continent, with Chantham's determination to master innovative shots highlighting the dedication required at the highest levels of women's cricket.
