Kadapa’s Shree Charani: The young spinner who bowled India to World Cup glory

adapa’s 21-year-old left-arm spinner N. Shree Charani played a crucial role in India’s ICC Women’s World Cup win, taking 14 wickets in her maiden campaign. Guided by her uncle, her rise from small-town struggles to world glory is truly inspiring.

Hyderabad: N. Shree Charani always made it a point to gently remind that for her the ultimate joy is to see the team win and not to soak in personal performances.

Nothing is more satisfying than helping a team win for the 21-year-old left-arm spinner from Kadapa (Andhra Pradesh), who was an integral part of the victorious Harmanpreet Kaur-led Indian team in the ICC Women’s World Cup with an impressive 14 wicket haul from nine games.

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More than the wickets, that Charani was one of the star bowlers the seasoned skipper Harmanpreet always looked for the crucial breakthroughs was itself a tribute to her efficacy.

Former England captain Nasser Hussain described her as a “joy to watch”.

And, she was for sure in the final against South African when she provided one of those crucial breakthroughs trapping Anneke Bosch (0) lbw in the 12th over to let India come back into the game.

With the ability to bowl quicker and change the pace to unsettle the batters, Charani was a picture of composure and confidence right through the campaign despite playing in her maiden World Cup.

Like in all successful stories of any athlete, especially coming from the middle-class which often necessitates at least one family member completely dedicated to the kid’s passion in sport, Charani owes it to her uncle Kishore Kumar Reddy.

“It is he who has made me play the game since I was eight. Initially, I used to bowl pace but slowly started bowling spin. There was no specific reason for that,”recalls Charani, the pacer-turned-left-arm spinner.

“I always look up to my uncle about my game. He is the biggest source of inspiration and a true mentor,” says Charani.

All those energy-sapping journeys daily (traversing 150km every week) for training sessions now seem to be worth all the effort for sure.

By all means, Charani’s incredible journey since making her ODI debut only this April is yet another success story in Indian sport which can be truly inspirational for all those, especially young girls, who look to sports with passion and dedication.