BENGALURU: It’s D-day for the Indian women’s cricket team as they play their first match in the World T20 against Bangladesh in Bengaluru on Tuesday. But for three cricketers, it is even more special.
Karnataka players Veda Krishnamurthy, Rajeshwari Gayakwad and Vanitha VR are in the Indian team for the match at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, and are excited about it.
They have trained and played at this venue, and it is a matter of pride for them to play their first World T20 match at home.
Women’s cricket has come a long way in India. Our team has been doing well against other teams.
“It feels really nice to play our first World Cup game and at home. Perfect,” Vanitha said, after the team finished a gruelling training session on Monday.
Veda added, “It’s a great platform. It creates awareness among cricket-loving people in India and among women. This is happening in Bengaluru. So, it’s a wonderful feeling for us on the personal front and we would like to do well. Also, it’s an eye-catcher that the matches are being telecast.”
Many players in the team have played at the Chinnaswamy Stadium on previous occasions. For the local players, there is an element of familiarity with the ground. That obviously makes them confident. “We are confident and hope to do well. We will do well and win,” Rajeshwari said.
Vanitha echoes the sentiment. “We know the ground pretty well. We are aware and prepared,” she said.
There is another aspect of playing at home: family presence. Does that add pressure? “We are used to it. The World Cup is a big occasion. Maybe that won’t make much of a difference because we have played the warm-up games and our families watched us,” she said.
Men’s and women’s World T20 matches are being played at the same time. The focus is bound to be more on the men’s teams but Veda, Rajeshwari, Vanitha and their teammates are out to prove that women’s cricket can be equally, if not more, competitive.
Career stats
Veda Krishnamurthy Age: 23
From: Chikkamagaluru
Teams: India Blue Women,
India Women, Karnataka Women
Batting: Right-hand bat
Bowling: Legbreak Matches played: 20 (ODI) 26 (T20)
Highest score: 65 (ODI) 35 (T20)
Wickets: 3 (ODI)
Vanitha VR Age: 25
From: Bengaluru
Teams: India Senior Women, India Women
Batting: Right-hand bat
Bowling: Right-arm medium
Matches played: 6 (ODI) 11 (T20)
Highest score: 27 (ODI) 41 (T20)
Rajeshwari Gayakwad Age: 24
From: Vijayapura
Teams: India Women, Karnataka Women
Batting: Right-hand bat
Bowling: Slow left-arm orthodox
Matches played: 1 (Test) 18 (ODI) 9 (T20)
Highest score: 5 (ODI) 5 (n.o.) (T20)
Wickets: 5 (Test) 26 (ODI) 14 (T20)