At a time when USA women’s cricket is carving its identity on the global stage, Gargi Bhogle stands out as one of its most assured performers — thoughtful, grounded, and deeply conscious of the responsibility that comes with wearing the national jersey. One of the first players to receive an ODI cap for the USA women’s team, Bhogle has been a consistent presence across formats. She has represented the USA in both T20Is and ODIs, contributing valuable runs in the middle order while also offering athleticism in the field. Her numbers may not yet scream superstardom, but they underline reliability, the kind that associate nations build their foundations on.
In an exclusive conversation with Vishal Yadav for Female Cricket, Bhogle reflected on the USA’s campaign at the Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifiers, the confidence gained from key victories, and the belief coursing through the group at the time. The defeat to Scotland, which ultimately brought the USA’s World Cup campaign to a halt came later, but it did little to overshadow how far the team had progressed in the tournament or the growth they had shown against higher-ranked opposition.
One of the most defining milestones of her career came when she received her ODI cap — a moment she still draws strength from. “I have no words for that moment to be honest,” she reflected. “It’s definitely something you don’t get to experience every day, and I always look back to that moment whenever I’m feeling low or just overwhelmed with emotions, and for to see how far we’ve come as a unit just makes me so proud not just of myself but of the entire team.”
Born in Mumbai and raised in Southern California, Bhogle’s cricketing journey is deeply tied to migration, opportunity, and family sacrifice. “All the credit goes to my mom and my dad, but more than that it would be my mom,” she said. “When my mom received an opportunity to work in the US as a nurse, she grabbed it quickly… and from then we’ve just lived in Southern California. That’s been our home.”
That dual upbringing has shaped how Bhogle sees the game, when asked about blending Indian cricket culture with an American sporting mindset. “In the last year I’ve traveled to both Mumbai and Hyderabad to get more cricket experience and training. And from there I feel like I’ve developed my American mindset but also my Indian cricket values.”
On the field, Bhogle models parts of her game on Ravindra Jadeja — not just for skill, but for attitude.
“He (Jadeja) inspires me daily for his hard work and dedication that he brings onto the field,” she said, before adding how that translates into her own approach. “Regardless of the position I’m playing in, I like to have a bold mindset.”
That boldness extends beyond cricketing roles. In a sport still finding its footing in the United States, Bhogle is acutely aware of conversations around identity and representation.
“America is a democracy, right? But more than that, it’s where you will find every culture in the world residing in the United States. And so, for people that don’t know America, it may be one of the few countries that has so many different cultures. As I’ve traveled more around the USA, I’ve understood that not every country gets to experience that and I’d say I’m very grateful to have experienced so many different cultures in just my home city.”
Wearing the USA jersey, for her, carries layered meaning. “It’s a lot of pride when it comes to knowing how many people are pushing all of us back home, our coaches, our teachers that support us every day. There are so many different aspects into how we come to be as athletes and players for USA Cricket. Again, it comes back to the responsibility of keeping your nation proud, trying to put in every ounce of effort that we have to, you know, bring home a medal or World Cup or whatever it is for our country.”
Balancing international cricket with academics has also been part of her journey. A graduate of Concordia University, she credits her institution for making that balance possible. “I was able to have one-on-one experience and hands-on communication with them, which allowed me to better balance out my schedule and allowed me to catch up on assignments or have more flexible deadlines, and so I’m just really grateful for the university.” she said.
She also keeps a close eye on the Women’s Premier League (WPL) and what it represents for players from associate nations.
“I think every player, not just on the United States team, but every associate and full-member nation player wants to have an opportunity at these big platforms,” Bhogle said. “It’s definitely just a dream come true for any girl that gets to participate.”
When it comes to role models, Bhogle looks beyond geography and nationality, drawing inspiration from one of the most aggressive players the women’s game has seen. She named Australia’s Alyssa Healy as the cricketer who has most shaped her approach, particularly as a batter. “Alyssa Healy, without a doubt,” Bhogle said. “She is someone that has really pushed me to become an aggressive batter.” Though Healy is soon to step away from international cricket, Bhogle believes her influence continues to ripple through the next generation.
For Bhogle, the Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier has been less about isolated results and more about accelerated learning. With limited opportunities to train together due to the vast geography of the United States, the tournament became a rare and valuable stretch of sustained time as a unit. “I think most importantly we’re learning to play proactive cricket and so making sure we’re able to trust ourselves to execute that game strategy whether it’s in batting, bowling, or in the field,” she explained. The qualifier demanded clarity in intent, backing aggressive options, committing fully to plans, and trusting teammates under pressure. “Just trusting ourselves and trusting each other is where we’re growing as a unit,” Bhogle added.
She also highlighted the broader impact of the USA men’s team stepping onto the global stage, stressing how success in one program can uplift the entire cricketing ecosystem in the country. With the men preparing for their World Cup campaign, she believes the visibility and momentum generated at the top level naturally filters down to the women’s game. “Definitely with the men doing well, the women are also being pushed in the right direction,” she said. For Bhogle, progress is collective rather than siloed. “At the end of the day when our nation is doing good that’s all we want,” she added, emphasizing that pride extends across genders and age groups.
Although the USA women’s campaign ultimately ended with a defeat to Scotland, bringing their Women’s T20 World Cup qualification hopes to a halt, the journey itself marked a significant step forward. For players like Gargi Bhogle, the qualifier was not just about a single result, but about proof of progress of a team learning to trust its methods, compete with confidence, and grow together under pressure. With clearer pathways, increasing global exposure, and role models emerging across formats and genders, USA women’s cricket is no longer on the fringes.
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