Jasleen Royal may be a well-known singer-songwriter today, but long before music entered her life, she had dreamt of becoming a cricketer. Recently, that childhood aspiration came full circle when she shared the field with India's women's cricket stars Harmanpreet Kaur and Jemimah Rodrigues. This happened after a viral social media video showcasing her leg-spin bowling skills caught the attention of the BCCI and a television channel, leading to an invitation for an interactive session and live performance with the cricket icons.
An Unforgettable Encounter
Talking exclusively to Bombay Times about her experience, Jasleen revealed, “I delivered a full six-ball over to both these world-class batters.” She also performed an intimate live set for the entire team, including songs like Heeriye, Inaam, and others. “I also jammed with Jemmi on Yeh Dosti on my harmonica. And they gifted me a jersey with my name on it and signed by each team member!”
A Surreal Moment
“When all of us were singing my songs together, it felt surreal,” she said. “For a moment, I genuinely felt like a child again. I felt an incredible amount of joy. Becoming a cricketer was my first dream growing up, so standing there with them almost felt like meeting a younger version of myself that I hadn’t seen in years.”
Appreciating Team Spirit
The encounter also gave her a renewed appreciation for the camaraderie that defines team sports. “Music, in many ways, can be a very solitary journey. You spend so much time creating, performing, and travelling on your own. Looking at them, I remember thinking, ‘Wow, there’s something really beautiful about building something together as a team.’”
Supporting Women’s Cricket
Over the years, Jasleen has consistently celebrated the achievements of India’s women cricketers. While she believes perceptions are gradually changing, she feels there is still a long way to go. “I think things are changing, and I’m sure they will continue to. Hopefully sooner rather than later. It’s still frustrating to see women not getting their due in so many fields.”
Using Platforms to Uplift Others
For the singer, supporting women’s sport is part of a larger responsibility that extends beyond celebrities and public figures. “I do think artists and public figures should use their platforms to support and uplift others, but honestly, I think that applies to everyone. The world would be a much nicer place if more people simply used whatever influence they have, big or small, to uplift others and humanity.”
Similarities Between Sport and Music
“Also, I was absolutely elated to be invited by the Indian women’s team to support them during their upcoming World Cup campaign in England (the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026). I’m always going to champion them and be their number one supporter. What surprised me was how many similarities there are between sport and music. The discipline, the long hours, the bad days, public scrutiny, self-doubt, and still finding self-belief against all odds... all of that feels very familiar. People don’t always realise this, but just like athletes deal with injuries and recovery, musicians do too. Singing for long hours or even holding a guitar for extended periods can cause muscle spasms and seriously affect performance,” says the multi-instrumentalist.
Pressure and Preparation
Whether performing before a packed stadium or stepping onto a cricket pitch, the pressure, she says, is remarkably similar. “What really stood out to me is that whether you’re walking onto a cricket field or stepping onto a stage, there’s always pressure. Thousands or sometimes millions of people are watching, but in that moment, you still have to trust your preparation and show up.” Ultimately, success in both worlds rests on the same foundations. “At the end of the day, whether you’re an athlete or an artist, it comes down to the same thing — practice, consistency, sleep, diet, recovery — and repeating that process every single day.”
