Former India captain Anjum Chopra has identified South Africa’s Kayla Reyneke as a rising force in women’s cricket, while also expressing confidence in India’s chances of contending for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup title.
Reyneke has quickly made an impression on the international stage with impactful performances in both formats. The 20-year-old all-rounder announced herself with a last-ball six on her T20I debut against Pakistan and followed it with another match-winning effort on ODI debut against New Zealand, where she remained unbeaten on 42 off 32 balls, sealing the game with a six. She was named Player of the Match in both matches, becoming the first to achieve that feat in women’s international cricket.
Chopra, who closely followed her performances, praised Reyneke’s composure and ability to deliver in crucial moments. “I am added to Kayla Reyneke’s fan club. I have watched her play and she is an outstanding player, especially in the first ODI when she was up with the challenge of scoring 14 in the last over against New Zealand and getting those six runs on the last ball – I watched that game live.”
A Rare Blend of Power and Composure
Chopra highlighted Reyneke’s balance between aggression and control, noting that such qualities make her stand out at a young age. “She is one of those players who will take women’s cricket to possibly those heights where everyone takes notice and says, ‘Wow, there is power, but there is also calmness in the way that they are playing the sport now.’”
With India set to face South Africa in a five-match T20I series starting April 17 in Durban, Chopra believes the contest will test India’s tactical strength. She acknowledged Reyneke’s strengths, particularly her ability to score on the on-side and hit straight, while noting that opposition teams will begin to analyse her game more closely.
Confidence in India’s World Cup Ambitions
Looking beyond the bilateral series, Chopra reflected on India’s recent success across formats and the shift in mindset that has followed. She described the accumulation of trophies as a sign of a new phase for Indian cricket, where teams are increasingly expected to win.
“Personally, I felt like a kid in a candy store when I had five World Cup trophies in front of me. It’s been a very humbling year and a half or two for Indian cricket. I’ll be greedy like any Indian to say that one more in 2026 for the T20 World Cup, especially with the women playing, will be very nice.”
Managing Expectations and Staying Focused
Chopra also pointed out that increased success brings added pressure. She stressed that the current group understands both the value of winning and the challenges of maintaining that level.
“If by any chance we don’t win it, I think it will be really hurting to the players as well and to everybody around because now the taste of success is there with everyone. If you don’t taste that success, there’ll be utmost disappointment.”
She further emphasised the importance of focusing on consistent performances throughout a tournament rather than only targeting the final stages. With India’s best result in the Women’s T20 World Cup being runners-up in 2020, the upcoming edition in England offers another opportunity to take the next step.
