Vaishnavi Sharma Celebrates First Five-Wicket Haul in ODI Victory Against Zimbabwe

Vadodara, October 29 (Daily Kiran) : Indian spinner Vaishnavi Sharma expressed her exhilaration after claiming her first five-wicket haul during the third ODI against Zimbabwe in Vadodara. This achievement played a crucial role in securing an 8-wicket victory for India, thereby clinching the series 3-0.

In a video shared by the BCCI on their social media platform, Sharma credited her success to the experience gained with the India A team, the support from her teammates, and her efforts to stay calm under pressure. “Taking five wickets feels completely different. When you work hard and then take five wickets on the field, it is truly a fantastic feeling,” she said.

Reflecting on her nerves before the match, Sharma admitted she felt quite anxious. “On the first day of the ODI series, I was very nervous. I sat out in the first match, which allowed me to assess the situation and think about what I needed to do,” she explained.

She continued, “I was still nervous when I got the chance to play in the second match. I couldn’t sleep well the night before, as I had so many thoughts running through my mind. Ultimately, I managed to calm myself down on the field and focused on enjoying the game.”

The 20-year-old took full advantage of her opportunity in the final match of the series, claiming five wickets for just 39 runs in her 10 overs. This performance led to Zimbabwe being bowled out for a mere 131 runs. Sharma also spoke about how her consistent wicket-taking with the India A team had prepared her for international challenges and boosted her confidence.

“I performed well in the Australia A series, taking six wickets once and four another time. I was the leading wicket-taker in that series, which significantly boosted my confidence going forward,” she noted. After discussions with her coaches, they devised a plan that she was eager to implement. “I prayed to God for just one more wicket. When I got close to taking my fifth wicket, everyone was excited,” she added.

Sharma highlighted the support she received from her teammates, including Deepti, Shefali, Smriti, Harmanpreet, and Harleen. “Everyone was encouraging me. I had a lot of fun. When I was counting my wickets, I looked at everyone’s faces. After not taking a wicket for a while, everyone started laughing at each ball I bowled. On the last ball, they told me to pray to all the gods for a wicket,” she recalled.

The wait for her fifth wicket was an emotional ordeal for Sharma. She admitted that as the innings neared its end, she worried she might miss out on this significant milestone. “The wait for the fifth wicket stressed me out. I kept thinking, ‘When will this wicket fall?’ But as the last over approached—with only six balls left—I thought, ‘If I get the wicket, great; if not, just finish your spell and wrap it up.’ I couldn’t help but laugh at the end, thinking, ‘Wow, I finally got that last wicket.'”