Anushka Sharma, the 22-year-old all-rounder from Madhya Pradesh, earned her first India Women’s call-up after being named in the 15-member squad for the upcoming five-match T20I series against South Africa, announced on March 24. With the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 approaching, the series presents a crucial platform for preparation.
The youngster impressed in WPL 2026 for Gujarat Giants (GG), scoring 177 runs in seven innings, and was also among the top performers in the Women’s Asia Cup Rising Stars, finishing as India A’s second-highest run-scorer with 116 runs in five innings and winning the tournament.
In an exclusive conversation with RevSportz, her coach, Arun Singh, chief coach of the MP Women’s Cricket Academy, spoke about her journey, strengths, areas of improvement, and the growing impact of Madhya Pradesh in women’s cricket.
How did your journey with Anushka begin?
I am currently heading the MP Women’s Cricket Academy as chief coach. It was established in June 2022 to select talented young women cricketers from across Madhya Pradesh. We conducted trials in 5–6 locations and shortlisted 24 players. Anushka was one of them.
I knew her from Gwalior and used to watch her play. I can say her real transformation began after joining the academy because, before that, she did not have a qualified coach. When she came here, I saw significant progress within two years. And today, within three and a half years, she is in the Indian team.
What stands out as her biggest strength?
The thing that impresses me most is her attitude. She bats with a fearless approach, regardless of the opponent, the ground, or the situation. She has tremendous faith in her abilities because she is an exceptionally hard worker. Her fearlessness in batting is a key strength.
How do you assess her WPL 2026 performance?
The WPL season was a bit unfortunate due to an injury. Even though she made a good comeback, the performances she delivered in that WPL represented only about 25% of her potential. We will see the remaining 75% in the future – once she matures, her true talent will shine through.
Regarding maturity, are you referring to those innings where she looked settled but got out at crucial moments?
Absolutely. For example, if you hit two boundaries against a quality bowler, the bowler will adjust and bowl well. If you get a loose ball, you should hit it. But if it’s a good delivery, you must be sensible: take a single, rotate the strike, and watch the bowler carefully. That’s an area she needs to work on.
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Now, she will be with the senior players, receive plenty of advice, and mature quickly. As a coach, I can assure you she is a very quick learner. At the time, the team’s strategy was also to have her play aggressively: ‘You just have to hit, even if you lose your wicket.’ That was part of the plan, so it’s not fair to call her immature. She will work on this, and she will definitely do well.
Why didn’t we see her bowling in the WPL?
She is an excellent bowler, specialising in off-spin, and has taken many wickets in domestic cricket. Unfortunately, her action was declared illegal, and she was banned for 5–6 months. We worked on it and cleared her action on the first attempt.
In the WPL, perhaps she did not fit into the team combination as a bowler, and the injury likely played a part. But she is a very intelligent bowler, especially in T20 cricket.
What conversations did you have during her injury phase?
She stayed in regular contact with me. I told her, especially after the India call-up, that the world sees your output, but no one sees the process. Becoming a champion requires a long, challenging process. Our four-year journey involved tears, setbacks, and discipline – but that’s the grind. Very few people understand it.
She is always in touch because she has been part of the process from the beginning. She observes, learns quickly, and corrects herself rapidly. She’s that kind of person.
Has women’s cricket changed after the 2025 ODI World Cup win?
Yes, a lot has changed. Glory motivates many players. After the World Cup win, women’s cricket has become so popular that even girls from remote areas aspire to play, dreaming of becoming like Harmanpreet Kaur or Smriti Mandhana. It has definitely made a difference.
What’s going right for Madhya Pradesh in women’s cricket?
The Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association (MPCA) is doing a good job. Earlier, women’s cricket received little attention, but now the association has created a platform for players to progress.
Since 2022, we have produced three WPL players. Rahila Firdous and Sanskriti Gupta are also from our academy. We have 4–5 more players on the verge of national selection. Nazma Khan is currently playing in the inter-zonal tournament, and Ananya Dubey is another promising talent. Our academy is contributing significantly to the growth of cricket in Madhya Pradesh.
With the T20 World Cup approaching, what’s the dream now – for you and for her?
“I don’t focus too much on the future. Right now, this series is an excellent platform for her to prove herself as a batter in T20Is. I always advise focusing on the task at hand and doing your best. Leave the bigger goals for later. By fulfilling small tasks consistently, bigger goals can be achieved. The World Cup dream is certainly there, but our immediate goal is to perform at our best in the South Africa tour.
Also Read: From Injury to Acceptance: Pratika Rawal’s Honest Take on Mental Struggles