April 8, 2025, will forever be etched in the life of Nallapureddy Shree Charani, whose rise in Indian cricket has been spectacular, and being selected for the upcoming tri-series in Sri Lanka is a major landmark in her young career.
Originally from the tiny town of Kadapa in Andhra Pradesh, Charani’s story is one of talent and determination. An exceptional all-rounder, her strong performance on the domestic circuit drew the attention of scouts, leading to an intense bidding war in the third season of the Women’s Premier League.
She was roped in by the Delhi Capitals for INR 55 lakh, and probably despite only appearing in two matches that season, the management saw her potential. And now, to be selected for India to join the host country and South Africa for the upcoming tri-series, she now is the next step of her career, presenting her talent on the world stage.
The respective incredible opportunity points to all her hard work, persistence, and the interest in her development as an emerging and very specialized all-rounder. It testifies to what was needed to propel this young lady from Kadapa onto the world stage.
In an exclusive chat with RevSportz, the youngster said, “My love for cricket started in childhood. I used to play with my mama, brother, dad, and sister. Later, when my friends in the colony played, I used to join them, too. I was also involved in other sports, but I was always connected to cricket. I played kho-kho and badminton, and in fact, badminton was the first sport I started with. I used to watch Indian players like Saina Nehwal and PV Sindhu on TV.
“When I was involved in athletics, I even had the chance to meet Sindhu. Regarding my cricket journey, I trained in Andhra. Until my ninth grade, I played cricket regularly. It was around seventh grade when my father bought me my first cricket kit. My mama and I would go to the ground and practice whenever we had free time. My mother is a housewife, my father is a government employee, and my mama is a contractor. They have always supported me.”
The 20-year-old said that her biggest inspirations are Yuvraj Singh and Smriti Mandhana. While watching videos of left-handed batters, she came across Yuvraj Singh’s iconic six sixes in an over. That moment really stuck with her, and she thought to herself that one day, she wanted to do something like that.
In her debut match against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru in season three of the Women’s Premier League, Charani faced an uphill start, as she was hit for a massive six in her very first over. However, the 20-year-old quickly composed herself in the toughest of situations and made a stellar comeback.
She bowled with precision and resilience, dismissing both Raghvi Bist and Richa Ghosh, showcasing her skill under pressure. Charani finished with impressive figures of 2/28, a remarkable feat for a debutant, proving her potential as a promising young bowler. Her performance was a testament to her maturity and ability to adapt quickly to the high-pressure environment of the Women’s Premier League.
Playing for the Delhi Capitals in WPL 2025, Charani said that it was all about sticking to her strengths in the bowling department. She mentioned how captain Meg Lanning has been a great guide, constantly helping her and all her teammates. Meg provided the right input based on the situation, which helped Charani stay in control. Instead of telling her exactly what to do, Meg offered key insights that allowed Charani to make her own decisions on the field.
Getting a national team call-up is a massive achievement, and it remains intriguing to see how the promising cricketer fares in the national colors. With the talent and caliber to match, Charani is set to prove her grit to the cricketing world.
Loves all things female cricket