The rise of 20-year-old left-arm spinner Vaishnavi Sharma in the Indian women's cricket team seems to have been a story written in the stars, quite literally. The daughter of an astrologer, Sharma announced her arrival on the international stage with a compelling performance in her debut T20I series against Sri Lanka, taking five wickets across the matches and showcasing remarkable control.
Debut Series Brilliance and a Predestined Path
Vaishnavi Sharma made her India debut in the first T20I at Visakhapatnam on December 21. However, her most significant statement came in the high-scoring match in Thiruvananthapuram, where she delivered a spell of 2 wickets for 24 runs in a game where 412 runs were scored. On a placid track and with a wet ball, her economical bowling stood out, especially when contrasted with more experienced bowlers struggling for rhythm.
For her father, Dr. Narendra Sharma, a practising astrologer with a PhD in psychology, this journey feels predestined. "When Vaishnavi was born, I made her horoscope. In her horoscope, there were strong indications for sports and also for becoming a doctor," he revealed. He added with conviction, "Had she chosen medicine, the whole city would have known her. But had she chosen sports, the whole world would know her."
From Gwalior Grounds to the National Team
The foundation for this success was laid early in Gwalior. Guided by her father's astrological insight, the family chose cricket for Vaishnavi and her older brother Ashendra. From the age of four, her parents and brother began coaching her. Dr. Sharma would train his son first, to motivate his daughter.
Daily trips to nearby grounds in Sindhi Colony were routine. Her formal training began later at the Tansen Cricket Academy in 2021-22. Coach Lovekesh Chaudhary, who first saw a seven or eight-year-old Vaishnavi, recalls her exceptional focus. "Her biggest strength is her accuracy. During our three-hour practice sessions, she can consistently bowl on the same pitch. Control is her strongest skill," Chaudhary emphasized, noting her rigorous routine of six to seven hours of practice daily, bowling at least 30 overs.
Playing against boys from a young age in Gwalior, Delhi, Kota, and Kurukshetra honed her competitive edge. Her cricketing idols, Radha Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja, reflect her preferred style: control and utility over mere flair.
Overcoming Setbacks with Focus
The path to the India cap wasn't without a hurdle. Despite finishing as the leading wicket-taker in the Senior Women's T20 Trophy with 21 wickets in 11 matches, Vaishnavi went unsold at the 2026 Women's Premier League auction. Her father, however, framed it positively. "We told her this was not a big issue. If a player performs well, she will be selected for India. That is more important," he said.
His astrological prediction provided solace and direction. "As an astrologer, I had already made a bhavishyavani that she would play for India in 2025," Dr. Sharma stated. The prophecy came true on December 21, nearly a month after the auction.
At home in Gwalior, the atmosphere was electric during the series, with relatives and neighbours crowding the Sharma household to watch her play. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur also expressed her support, eagerly awaiting Vaishnavi's first wicket and praising her crucial over in Visakhapatnam.
Off the field, Vaishnavi finds balance in painting, singing, and listening to Hindi music. But her father's hope remains clear: "She has worked very hard for cricket. She should always stay focussed." With a stellar debut behind her and the stars seemingly aligned, Vaishnavi Sharma has firmly positioned herself as a promising future star for Indian cricket.
