On September 27, just two days after leaving the field in a wheelchair, Arundhati Reddy strode out with the ball in hand and reminded everyone of her resilience. Against New Zealand in India’s second warm-up, the fast bowler delivered a spell that calmed nerves across the camp and reignited belief in her World Cup journey.
Reddy bowled 9 overs, conceding 42 runs at an economy of 4.66 while picking up 2 crucial wickets. She first broke through by dismissing Isabella Gaze (21) and later removed Jess Kerr (12), halting New Zealand’s lower-order momentum and restricting them to 232/8 in 42 overs. For India, it was more than just figures—it was proof that one of their most important seamers was back.
That comeback looked improbable just 48 hours earlier. In the September 25 warm-up against England at the BCCI Centre of Excellence, National Cricket Academy, Singahalli, Karnataka, Reddy had been the story of the day for all the wrong reasons.
With Jemimah Rodrigues leading India and Nat Sciver captaining England, the hosts had chosen to bowl first in preparation for their September 30 opener against Sri Lanka. Into her fifth over, Reddy was in rhythm, having already trapped Amy Jones lbw for 39 (46). But disaster struck when Heather Knight drove firmly back at her.
The ball slammed into Reddy’s left knee as she tried for a return catch, and she landed awkwardly on her follow-through. Despite the physio’s attention, she could not put weight on her foot. Minutes later, she was wheelchaired off the field, leaving her participation in serious doubt and casting a shadow over India’s balance—she is one of only four seamers in the 15-player squad.
For Reddy, the incident threatened to derail what was meant to be a milestone moment: her first ODI World Cup. Since debuting against South Africa last year, she has played 11 ODIs, taking 15 wickets with a best of 4 for 26 in Australia last December. Her recent series against the same opponents brought 1 wicket in the 2nd ODI and 3 in the 3rd.
Now, standing on the brink of a home World Cup, she embodies resilience as much as skill. India, still chasing their first senior women’s global title, begin their campaign on September 30 against Sri Lanka at the ACA Stadium in Guwahati. For Reddy, just taking the field that day will be a triumph in itself—a reminder that her World Cup has already begun with victory over adversity.
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