Anushka Sharma has earned her maiden T20I call-up ahead of the upcoming series against South Africa.
In an exclusive interaction, her coach Arun Singh reflects on her journey, dedication, and progress on the path to the national team. He also points to the areas she still needs to refine while keeping the long-term World Cup ambition in perspective.
The 22-year-old all-rounder from Madhya Pradesh secured her first India Women’s selection after being included in the 15-player squad for the five-match T20I series against South Africa, announced on March 24. With the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 on the horizon, the series serves as an important opportunity for preparation.
Sharma delivered notable performances in WPL 2026 for Gujarat Giants (GG), scoring 177 runs across seven innings. She also stood out in the Women’s Asia Cup Rising Stars, finishing as India A’s second-highest run-scorer with 116 runs in five innings as the team went on to lift the title.
Speaking to RevSportz, Arun Singh, chief coach of the MP Women’s Cricket Academy, discussed her development, strengths, areas that require improvement, and the increasing prominence of Madhya Pradesh in women’s cricket.
Early days and development
Singh explained how his association with Sharma began during the formation of the academy. He said, “I am currently heading the MP Women’s Cricket Academy as chief coach. It was established in June 2022 to select talented young women cricketers from across Madhya Pradesh. We conducted trials in 5–6 locations and shortlisted 24 players. Anushka was one of them.”
He further noted her transformation after joining the programme. “I knew her from Gwalior and used to watch her play. I can say her real transformation began after joining the academy because, before that, she did not have a qualified coach. When she came here, I saw significant progress within two years. And today, within three and a half years, she is in the Indian team.”
Fearless approach with the bat
Highlighting her key attribute, Singh emphasised her mindset. “The thing that impresses me most is her attitude. She bats with a fearless approach, regardless of the opponent, the ground, or the situation. She has tremendous faith in her abilities because she is an exceptionally hard worker. Her fearlessness in batting is a key strength.”
Assessing WPL 2026 performances
Reflecting on her campaign in the league, Singh described it as challenging due to fitness setbacks. “The WPL season was a bit unfortunate due to an injury. Even though she made a good comeback, the performances she delivered in that WPL represented only about 25% of her potential. We will see the remaining 75% in the future – once she matures, her true talent will shine through.”
He also identified situational awareness as an area she needs to improve. “Absolutely. For example, if you hit two boundaries against a quality bowler, the bowler will adjust and bowl well. If you get a loose ball, you should hit it. But if it’s a good delivery, you must be sensible: take a single, rotate the strike, and watch the bowler carefully. That’s an area she needs to work on.”
Singh expressed confidence that exposure to senior players would accelerate her growth. “Now, she will be with the senior players, receive plenty of advice, and mature quickly. As a coach, I can assure you she is a very quick learner. At the time, the team’s strategy was also to have her play aggressively: ‘You just have to hit, even if you lose your wicket.’ That was part of the plan, so it’s not fair to call her immature. She will work on this, and she will definitely do well.”
Bowling role and injury phase
Addressing her limited bowling appearances in the WPL, Singh clarified her credentials as a spin option. “She is an excellent bowler, specialising in off-spin, and has taken many wickets in domestic cricket. Unfortunately, her action was declared illegal, and she was banned for 5–6 months. We worked on it and cleared her action on the first attempt.”
He suggested that tactical considerations and injury may have influenced her role. “In the WPL, perhaps she did not fit into the team combination as a bowler, and the injury likely played a part. But she is a very intelligent bowler, especially in T20 cricket.”
Singh also recalled their conversations during her recovery period. “She stayed in regular contact with me. I told her, especially after the India call-up, that the world sees your output, but no one sees the process. Becoming a champion requires a long, challenging process. Our four-year journey involved tears, setbacks, and discipline – but that’s the grind. Very few people understand it.”
He added that her willingness to learn remains one of her biggest strengths. “She is always in touch because she has been part of the process from the beginning. She observes, learns quickly, and corrects herself rapidly. She’s that kind of person.”
Changing landscape of women’s cricket
Discussing the broader impact of India’s 2025 ODI World Cup triumph, Singh noted a visible shift in interest levels. “Yes, a lot has changed. Glory motivates many players. After the World Cup win, women’s cricket has become so popular that even girls from remote areas aspire to play, dreaming of becoming like Harmanpreet Kaur or Smriti Mandhana. It has definitely made a difference.”
He also credited the Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association for strengthening pathways for women cricketers. “The Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association (MPCA) is doing a good job. Earlier, women’s cricket received little attention, but now the association has created a platform for players to progress.”
Highlighting the academy’s contribution, Singh said, “Since 2022, we have produced three WPL players. Rahila Firdous and Sanskriti Gupta are also from our academy. We have 4–5 more players on the verge of national selection. Nazma Khan is currently playing in the inter-zonal tournament, and Ananya Dubey is another promising talent. Our academy is contributing significantly to the growth of cricket in Madhya Pradesh.”
Focus on immediate goals
With the T20 World Cup approaching, Singh stressed the importance of staying grounded in the present. “I don’t focus too much on the future. Right now, this series is an excellent platform for her to prove herself as a batter in T20Is. I always advise focusing on the task at hand and doing your best. Leave the bigger goals for later. By fulfilling small tasks consistently, bigger goals can be achieved. The World Cup dream is certainly there, but our immediate goal is to perform at our best in the South Africa tour.”
