India seamer Nandani Sharma has credited her maiden stint in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) with transforming her approach to the game, particularly in handling pressure and adapting to different situations.
WPL Impact on Nandani's Game
The Delhi Capitals bowler was the joint-highest wicket-taker in the last WPL season, claiming 17 wickets in 10 innings. That performance helped her secure a spot in the Indian squad for the Women’s T20 World Cup.
“The WPL has changed me a lot as a cricketer. I have learned so much, from sharing the dressing room with big players to watching how they prepare, how they handle pressure, and how they approach different situations,” Nandani told JioHotstar.
“Now I see cricket in a different way. Earlier, I used to think that if I just bowl, I will get wickets. But now I understand that there is so much more to the game.”
Learning from the Best
Nandani emphasised the importance of planning, reading the batter, adapting to conditions, and communicating with teammates. She said all these lessons are helping her in her journey.
She revealed that while growing up, Irfan Pathan inspired her to swing the ball. Currently, she looks up to Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah for their control and variations. In women’s cricket, she is a huge fan of Marizanne Kapp, admiring her pace, accuracy, and dedication.
Spinner Thoughts Faded with Success
The Chandigarh native disclosed that she once considered becoming a spinner. “At one point, I thought about becoming a spinner. The idea crossed my mind more than once. But things were going well in fast bowling. I was picking up wickets and getting better with every game,” she said.
“Fast bowling is very difficult. Injuries happen often. You must stay extra fit and take more care of your body. I used to think, should I change, should I try spin bowling? But then I would see myself succeeding with pace, and the thought of switching to spin would fade away. Wickets kept coming, and that gave me confidence.”
