In an emotional revelation, star Indian women’s cricketer Shreyanka Patil shared her experiences from the inaugural Women’s Premier League (WPL) auction, where she was picked by Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) Women. Patil’s heartfelt account highlights the significance of the moment for her and the sense of belonging she felt upon joining the RCB family.
The WPL Auction Experience
Recalling the intense moments of the auction, Patil revealed how she had her fingers crossed as her name and number were called out. The anticipation was palpable, and the relief was immense when RCB finally bid for her.
“RCB lift. And I was like, okay, stop it, stop it. And they said, sold to RCB. Everyone will jump. Some people will jump. Some people will cry. And I was like, just blank. And then after five minutes, I started crying. I was like, I don’t know whether it’s true, whether it’s really happening, whether to believe that it’s happened,” Patil shared during a recent podcast episode with RCB.
A Sense of Belonging
At just 21 years old, Shreyanka Patil expressed how she immediately felt at home with the RCB franchise. The warm welcome she received from the team made her feel like part of a family, which she described as a special feeling.
“I just felt so happy to belong to this place and RCB just welcomed me like their own family member, and that was a special feeling,” Patil said.
The Journey as an Off-Spinner
Patil also shared an interesting story about how she started her journey as an off-spinner. With the support of her father and several coaches, she discovered a natural talent for off-spin, which contrasted with her struggles in other cricketing disciplines.
“The last resort was off-spin, and I felt this is something very special. Off-spin is something which I liked when I started bowling. It was fun. Then my coaches and my dad, who was also an off-spinner, started working on my action and everything. It came very naturally to me; I didn’t have to force myself as I did with medium pace, wicket-keeping, or leg spin. My dad said, ‘Just stick to it. If it’s natural, just stick to it. It’s a good thing.’ So that’s how it started,” Patil recounted.
Looking Forward
Shreyanka Patil’s journey with RCB and her development as an off-spinner represent significant milestones in her cricketing career. As she continues to grow and evolve as a player, her story serves as an inspiration to many young cricketers aspiring to make their mark in the sport.
The Women’s Premier League has opened new avenues for female cricketers in India, and players like Shreyanka Patil are at the forefront of this exciting journey, ready to take on new challenges and achieve greater heights in their careers.
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