Shoaib Akhtar inspired me to take up Fast Bowling: Reveals Mansi Joshi

Did you know this India’s fast bowling sensation inspired by Pakistan’s Shoaib Akhtar was called as “Akhtar”ni by her friends? India’s pace bowler Mansi Joshi, who made her international debut in 2016, is known for her raw pace and when she hits the deck hard it is worth the watch.

Mansi Joshi started playing cricket with boys on the streets of Roorkee since age seven. Though she grew up watching the master blaster Sachin Tendulkar, she was always awestruck by Pakistan’s Shoaib Akhtar.

“Since I was a child, I used to watch cricket and when I used to see Shoaib Akhtar bowling I used to remain glued to the screen. The way he marked his run-up and his style of running quite some distance to bowling his delivery mesmerized me. Looking at him bowl with sheer pace, I was motivated to bowl like him,” she exclaimed.

She further added, “While playing with the boys in my area, I used to try to emulate Shoaib Akhtar. Though I did not have a round arm action, I made sure I had a big run-up and bowled fast. Seeing my pace, my friends gave me this name ‘Akhtar’ ni.”

India’s Mansi Joshi revealed the reason why she took up fast bowling in our 2nd episode of #FemaleCricketPodcast

Pakistan’s legendary bowler @shoaib100mph was her inspiration. 🙌 pic.twitter.com/YaxoGiNB7r

— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) May 4, 2020

Right from her childhood days, Mansi fancied becoming a fast bowler. Even prior to joining professional cricket, she enjoyed bowling. At the age of 16, Mansi, through her tremendous hard work and dedication made it to Haryana U19 and Haryana senior team at the same time. Playing for the state meant that she was just a step away from donning the Indian colors and finally in 2016, she made her India debut.

Her family and her coach Virendra Singh Rautela stood behind her like a rock and guided this “Akhtar”ni to become India’s pace sensation.

To know more about Mansi Joshi’s Cricket Journey, Read our Podcast here on Spotify.