New Delhi, April 15 (NationPress) Former Indian cricket captain Anjum Chopra has proudly announced her membership in the fan club of South African batter Kayla Reyneke, highlighting the young all-rounder's potential to elevate women's cricket to unprecedented levels, drawing wider attention to the sport.

Chopra also expressed her confidence in the Indian team to strategize effectively against Reyneke in the upcoming five-match T20I series starting April 17 in Durban. Kayla has made significant waves in women's cricket by winning two Player of the Match awards in her first four T20I appearances, including a spectacular debut against Pakistan in Potchefstroom, where she clinched victory with a six off the last ball.

In her ODI debut against New Zealand in Christchurch last month, Kayla once again showcased her talent by hitting a last-ball six to secure a thrilling win for the Proteas, remaining unbeaten on 42 from 32 balls, earning yet another Player of the Match accolade. She notably became the first female cricketer to achieve this honor on both her ODI and T20I debuts.

"I’ve joined Kayla Reyneke's fan club after witnessing her exceptional performance. In her first ODI, she faced the challenge of scoring 14 runs in the final over against New Zealand and managed to hit six runs on the last ball. I watched that match live, and she was remarkably calm and collected at the crease, even displaying a bit of nervousness typical for a 20-year-old," Chopra remarked.

"Her ability to perform under pressure is impressive, and I believe having a player like her on the international stage is thrilling for women's cricket. She represents a new era where the sport commands attention with both power and poise," Anjum shared in an exclusive interview with IANS.

Regarding India's approach to containing Reyneke's prowess, Chopra expressed optimism that the team would devise an effective plan. "Every player has vulnerabilities. It will be interesting to see how India prepares for Reyneke’s aggressive style, especially since she has a strong presence on the on-side and down the ground. I'm eager to see the strategies they implement and which bowlers they choose to challenge her," she added.

Reflecting on India's incredible success in ICC tournaments since 2025, Anjum hopes for another significant addition to the trophy cabinet with the Women's T20 World Cup scheduled for 2026. She reminisced about the emotionally charged moment of seeing five ICC trophies at the Naman awards last month in New Delhi, expressing her desire for another win.

"Seeing those five World Cup trophies felt like a dream come true. It’s been a humbling journey for Indian cricket over the past two years, and like any passionate Indian, I’m hopeful for one more in 2026, especially for the women’s team. We are once again claiming ICC trophies, proving our strength as a competitive side. The players now understand what it takes to be champions, and winning the finals has become a reality for them," she stated.

However, Anjum acknowledged that failing to secure another trophy would sting even more, given the newfound taste for victory. "If we don’t win, it would be a significant disappointment for everyone involved, as the players are now well aware of what success feels like. The desire for victory is palpable among those who have contributed to our World Cup journey, whether in men's, women's, or under-19 cricket," she concluded.

India’s highest achievement in the Women’s T20 World Cup remains the runners-up finish in 2020, and the quest for the trophy begins on June 12 in England. "The players are undoubtedly putting in tremendous effort. We, as supporters, are eagerly hoping for one more trophy to come our way. Hopefully, it materializes. There’s no added pressure, as our seniors have advised, but it’s clear what we all desire. As someone who has seen numerous trophies slip away, I’m thrilled about the ones we’ve finally secured. In 2017, we narrowly missed the ODI World Cup in England, and now we await the final showdown in 2026 for the T20 World Cup, focusing on each day of the tournament ahead," she concluded.