At just 20, Nallapureddy Sree Charani has already left a strong imprint on Indian women’s cricket. From a standout WPL debut to making her mark in India’s senior team, her journey reflects both quiet discipline and fierce ambition.
Her efforts didn’t go unnoticed. Along with her domestic credentials, the WPL exposure put her firmly on the national selectors’ radar. She was soon called up for the India squad in the Tri-Nation Series featuring South Africa and Sri Lanka.
Charani’s debut against Sri Lanka saw her return with remarkable figures of 2 for 26 in her eight overs, a spell laced with control and guile. In her next outing, she scalped the crucial wicket of Sune Luus, ending with 1 for 51 as India edged out South Africa by 15 runs.
Nallapureddy Sree Charani opens up on her debut WPL season, India call-up, pandemic-era struggles, and her dream of a World Cup appearance. The call-up to the senior Indian team was met with joy, excitement, and a little bit of nerves, “I was very proud of it. Playing with Harman di, Smriti di, Jemi di, they are such legends of the game, and to be playing with them is a pleasure.”
Her instincts hinted at a breakthrough even before the official announcement, “I knew that they would see my performances in the WPL. I had the hope that if I performed in the multi-day Challenger (in Dehradun), I might have a chance.” (A six-wicket haul in that tournament had sparked that belief.)
Not many youngsters can hold their own in a team bursting with global cricketing icons, but Nallapureddy Sree Charani has proven she’s cut from a different cloth. The 20-year-old left-arm spinner turned heads during her maiden stint with Delhi Capitals in the Women’s Premier League (WPL), showcasing maturity and skill well beyond her age.
She played two key matches, including the final against Mumbai Indians, and bagged four wickets at an average of 17.75. Her best figures—2 for 28—stood as proof of her knack for handling high-pressure situations. The economy rate was tidy too, underlying her control and consistency.
Reflecting on the first time she stepped into the Delhi Capitals dressing room, she recounted being awestruck and yet quickly felt at home.
Charani’s calm temperament was reinforced by the comforting presence of senior players like Jemimah Rodrigues and Arundhati Reddy, who helped her settle in the squad, “Aru akka and Jemi di took care of me very well. Whatever was there or whatever I needed, I could ask them very freely… I was very comfortable with Aru akka and Sneha akka because we all speak the same language, as well as Jemi di and Lisa ma’am.”
Lisa Keightley, Delhi’s assistant coach, also played a pivotal role in shaping Charani’s bowling approach during the tournament, “Lisa ma’am is the reason why my bowling got a lot more clarity. She used to help me a lot, not just in cricket but in all things; she would give me a lot of guidance.”
And then there was captain Meg Lanning, whose legendary calm and tactical brilliance rubbed off on the youngster, “My relationship with Meg was good. She also used to guide me a lot. She would tell me how and where to bowl, what kind of fields to set… When I was getting smashed for sixes in the WPL final, if Meg wasn’t around, I would have been more nervous.”
Even her fielding regimen saw a makeover, as she diligently worked under DC fielding coach Milap Mewada, “It doesn’t matter if I am in the playing XI. I would go and take catches daily… If I wasn’t playing in a match, I would finish bowling and stay with him and then take catches for about 20 minutes, which eventually helped me.”
Looking ahead, her eyes are firmly set on the Women’s World Cup slated to be held in India later this year, “Every player will want to take part in the World Cup, that’s obvious. If I have to go there, I need to focus on the present. My dream is to play for India, and if possible, in a World Cup. But I am not going to think about that. I will keep working hard. Whatever has to happen will happen.”
With maturity far beyond her age and a learning mindset, Sree Charani has shown she belongs on the big stage. The WPL gave her the launchpad, the Tri-Series validated her talent, and the future—possibly a World Cup cap—now waits in anticipation.
(Quotes sourced from Sportstar)
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