Long before she started taking professional wickets, Shreyanka was a passionate fan of cricket — particularly of Royal Challengers Bengaluru, one of the most iconic franchises in Indian Premier League (IPL) and Women’s Premier League (WPL) cricket. Her journey from the stands to professional turf illustrates the dream of millions: to grow from admirer to achiever. That dream, shaped by years of watching, learning, and relentless practice, came full circle when she appeared on AB de Villiers’ show #360show for an honest conversation about ambition, growth, and resilience.
On AB’s show, Shreyanka spoke with clarity about where she sees herself as a cricketer. She did not shy away from setting high standards. “I want to be the best finisher in the world. So that’s where I’m working towards. So whatever information I get, I would love to take it to my advantage and just get better at it.” The statement reflected not just confidence but intent, and the curiosity to learn from the greats of the game. For Shreyanka, improvement is continuous. Every net session, every conversation with senior players, and every match situation becomes an opportunity to sharpen her skills.
Her love for cricket began with inspiration, and she spoke openly about the player who sparked that fire, Virat Kohli. “One of the reasons why I started playing cricket was him. started watching IPL, his aggression on the field. I just wanted to be just like him. The way he was working towards his fitness when fitness was not a big thing back then, he made sure that everyone is fit in the Indian team or any team he plays for. So yeah, he’s been my biggest inspiration.” That admiration went beyond hero worship. It influenced her mindset, her work ethic, and her understanding that greatness is built as much in preparation as it is on match day.
Shreyanka also discussed the less glamorous side of becoming a better bowler. Training in Bangalore against powerful hitters meant getting hit for sixes regularly. Instead of seeing that as failure, she embraced it as feedback. Facing big shots forced her to refine her plans, improve her accuracy, and become more consistent with her lines. Over time, those tough practice sessions shaped her ability to bowl under pressure and execute skills when it mattered most.
Mental strength was another recurring theme in the conversation. Shreyanka acknowledged that doubts are part of the game, even when things are going well. She spoke about moments when negative thoughts crept in mid run-up, even during peak form. What mattered was her ability to reset quickly, return to basics, and trust her preparation. Injuries brought their own fears about form, selection, and whether opportunities would return. Instead of letting those thoughts define her, she chose to grow calmer and more resilient through the process.
Her parents’ support emerged as a quiet but powerful force behind her journey. They stood by her through long training days, uncertain phases, and setbacks, offering stability when results fluctuated. That support system allowed Shreyanka to stay grounded while chasing ambitious goals.
When asked about her dreams for the future, her answer balanced ambition with simplicity. “Obviously winning the World Cup, I have not yet won the World Cup. So, touching that World Cup, I’ve been dreaming of the World Cup. So that’s my ultimate goal. If you ask me the short-term goal, I think it would be just lifting the WPL trophy all over again. So, I’ve kept things very simple. I know it’s been a challenging 14 months for me, but I would love to take that as a learning because I don’t think so if that would have happened, I wouldn’t have been a calmer person who I am now.”
This season with Royal Challengers Bangalore has shown exactly why that calmness matters. Shreyanka’s performances have been among the most consistent on the team. Her ability to contribute both with timely runs and key wickets has helped RCB remain competitive in tight matches. From the stands to the pitch, from inspiration to achievement, she represents what many young cricketers aspire to be, and her continued success with RCB this season only deepens that narrative.
