New Delhi, June 28: Star spinner Radha Yadav has attributed her return to the Indian T20 team after 11 months to the Women’s Premier League (WPL). She stated that the experiences gained during the WPL, along with support from the team management and opportunities to learn from both teammates and opponents, prepared her for this comeback.
Speaking on GeoStar, Radha said, “I am returning to the T20 team after almost 11 months. It feels great to be back. Recently, we played in the Women’s Premier League. During that tournament, I added a lot to my game, especially on how to hit with more power, score quickly in death overs, change my pace, and use the ball in various ways. I have worked on all these aspects of my game. The Indian team staff has also supported me greatly, giving me the freedom to decide things my way.”
She continued, “Personally, I learn a lot from everyone around me, including teammates, coaches, and even opponents. Learning never stops as long as you are playing the game. If you don’t understand something about your game, you can learn by observing others. Watching how they bowl, set their fields, and handle pressure helps immensely.”
Radha emphasized, “Our discussions always revolve around how to take wickets and keep the run rate low. As a spinner, that’s our job. We can’t do too many extra things. We need to stick to our strengths, use our variations, and keep bowling in the right areas.”
Regarding the Women’s Premier League, Radha noted that it has become a bridge between domestic and international cricket. She remarked, “Not everyone gets the chance to play a lot of cricket before stepping onto the international stage. Transitioning directly from domestic cricket to international cricket is not easy. There is a significant change in quality and pressure. Fortunately, we now have the Women’s Premier League, which allows players to gain experience in international-level competition before playing for India. The new generation is entering international cricket with more experience.”
The left-arm spinner praised captain Harmanpreet Kaur and vice-captain Smriti Mandhana for fostering a culture where players feel free to express their thoughts within the team.
Leave a Comment