New Delhi, Feb 2 (NationPress) Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) all-rounder Gautami Naik expressed that she has gained invaluable insights from her international teammates Grace Harris and Nadine de Klerk as the team gears up for the upcoming Women's Premier League (WPL) final on Thursday.

This season, Gautami made headlines by becoming the first uncapped Indian player to achieve a fifty in WPL, scoring 73 runs off 55 balls in a pivotal match against the Gujarat Giants, where she showcased her ability to temper her aggressive instincts for a significant victory.

“I can confidently say I have absorbed a great deal from Grace Harris and Nadine de Klerk. My rapport with them has been excellent, and we’re having a great time together. From Grace, I have learned the importance of keeping the game simple. Her approach is straightforward - she always considers what shot to play in different scenarios. The simplicity of her gameplay and her application is remarkable,” Gautami shared during a virtual interaction organized by the franchise on Monday.

“Watching Nadine has taught me the value of resilience. She excels as a batter, bowler, and fielder, proving her worth in all three facets,” Gautami added. Nadine’s knack for rising to the occasion has notably influenced Gautami. “Nadine delivers when it counts, stepping up with key wickets and crucial runs. In our first match, she played a phenomenal innings when hope was dwindling, turning the match in our favor. This experience with international players in India will be beneficial for my future,” she remarked.

Gautami’s first WPL fifty changed her life significantly, impacting her both on and off the field, especially inspiring young players at her Pune academy. “Everyone was thrilled. It was a monumental knock for me. My recognition skyrocketed. Calls flooded in from relatives, and my mother was in tears, proud of my performance. My academy peers view me as an inspiration, believing that if I can achieve this, they can too. Everyone is excited for the finals, confident in our chances,” she reflected.

Despite participating in only four matches this season, Gautami has established a focused pre-match routine that includes meditation and maintaining composure, which has become essential to her preparation over the past year.

“My match-day routine is quite simple. I engage in a priming session followed by meditation. We each have our personal zones before a match—some listen to music, while others prepare mentally. As we approach the final, we need to gear up. We analyze how the pitch will play, assess our opponents, and strategize our readiness. We continuously refine our practice based on these assessments, focusing on our fundamentals,” she explained.

Gautami concluded by emphasizing how meditation has evolved into a daily practice rather than just a pre-match ritual. “I’ve been practicing meditation since entering professional cricket, but I’ve taken it more seriously in the last year. It has become integral to my daily routine. I meditate every day, which has helped me become a more composed player. I also prefer listening to calming music before matches,” she shared.