New Delhi, Nov 5 (NationPress) As India celebrated the end of a lengthy pursuit for major silverware by clinching the 2025 Women's World Cup trophy, one of the beaming faces in the lineup was N Sree Charani, a left-arm spinner hailing from YSR-Kadapa district in Andhra Pradesh. Her remarkable ascent in 2025 has rewritten the narrative for aspiring cricketers from smaller towns who dream of representing the nation.

Charani participated in all nine matches of the tournament, capturing 14 wickets with an impressive economy rate of 4.96, making her India’s second-highest wicket-taker and fourth overall in the tournament.

Having made her WPL debut earlier this year with the Delhi Capitals, Charani's performance has been nothing short of spectacular. Her poise, precision, and tactical intelligence from the outset established her not just as a promising talent but as a potential match-winner.

Statistics reveal her prowess: achieving figures of 3-41 against Australia in Visakhapatnam, 2-49 in Navi Mumbai, and 1-48 in the final against South Africa. By consistently delivering tight spells during the middle overs, Charani played a pivotal role in curbing the opposition's momentum.

Her bowling style, characterized by pace variations, high-arm action, and the ability to grip and turn the ball, has captivated many, especially during her dismissal of Anneke Bosch. Vikram Kumar Varma, who coached the Andhra U23 women's team when Charani began showcasing her talent, shared his insights.

"The first time I encountered her was during a camp in Vijayawada. Instantly, I saw her potential; she was incredibly eager to bowl. The most impressive trait was her relentless desire to bowl, making it hard to stop her. She demonstrated exceptional ball-spinning ability right from the start," Varma recalled.

"When she joined, she had already represented the state. While she was adept at the fundamentals, we focused on enhancing her game plan and strategies to up her pace. She was remarkably accurate, and we worked on her pace and crease variations. The best part is, she adapts swiftly and is an excellent listener," he elaborated in an exclusive interview with IANS.

The shift in Charani's bowling approach from defensive to aggressive has been remarkable. "In Andhra, she was more of a defensive bowler. Now, she has transformed into an attacking bowler. Her strength lay in her accuracy during powerplays," Varma noted.

"We concentrated on tactical aspects, guiding her to adjust her pace and lengths, allowing her to secure more wickets. Previously, she bowled more maiden overs; now, she’s instrumental in taking crucial wickets at critical moments."

Varma also recounted a significant moment from two years back involving Charani. "There are countless memories, but one match during the Under 23 trophy stands out. The Baroda team required eight runs with six wickets remaining, and our qualification depended on winning that match. Charani bowled an over that yielded four wickets for just one run."

Srinivas Reddy, former Andhra women’s U19 coach, closely collaborated with Charani, sending her 'all the best' messages before every World Cup match and congratulatory messages afterward. Over the past 15 years, Reddy has significantly influenced players like Sabbhineni Meghana, Sneha Deepthi, and Ravi Kalpana, who have represented India before Charani emerged.

"As a first-time World Cup player, her work ethic, discipline, and dedication have propelled her to this level. I would often tell her to ease off during bowling sessions, but she would persist, bowling extra overs even when monitoring her load. Last year, while in Raipur, she was determined to continue even before domestic season practices began," Reddy recounted.

"Charani would continuously practice spot bowling after her net sessions, making her the first to arrive and the last to leave the ground,” he shared with IANS.

Reddy praised her match-winning capabilities, stating, "She consistently delivers breakthroughs at critical junctures. Whenever the opposition accelerates, she halts their scoring and builds pressure. Even with an old ball, she maintains her consistency and keeps runs in check."

"Her economy rate complements her wicket-taking ability. She rarely concedes runs during death overs—opponents may attack, but not against her. Despite not being the captain, she embodies leadership qualities, fulfilling every responsibility entrusted to her with diligence."

Charani's success has far-reaching impacts beyond cricket in Andhra. For Reddy, it signifies a transformation in how cricket is perceived as a viable career choice in the state. "This is an emotional moment for all of us. Traditionally, the focus has been on academics. However, now players from lower-middle-class backgrounds can aspire to play for India, fostering pride in representing the nation. This will resonate with cricketers across India and help build their careers in cricket," he emphasized.

"Witnessing Charani as a World Cup champion is an emotional experience. I felt no tension during the final, as I was confident of their victory. However, I became emotional during the semi-final game," he remarked.

Varma echoed this sentiment, stating, "The entire nation has been in a celebratory mood since the trophy was lifted. It's a proud moment for all of us as she now serves as a role model for girls in Andhra. We are genuinely thrilled about her achievements and World Cup victory."

"Her influence will be immense. We have a group called the Happy Dressing Room Group, and she is an integral part of it. Everyone is excited to meet her. I believe many aspiring juniors will be inspired to play for the country because of her."

Not too long ago, she was training as a runner. Now, she stands as a cricket World Cup champion in the 50-over format. Charani's journey to the World Cup has been swift yet well-deserved. "We clinched the U-19 challengers in 2021 in Jaipur, and that same year she was selected for the state team, where she excelled. As the coach of the India B team, I witnessed her growth and started to believe she would represent India within two years," Varma expressed.

"Among the 60 players distributed across A, B, C, and D teams, she drew inspiration from observing her peers and grew confident, believing she was on par with them. From that point, she never looked back—she was selected for seniors the following year, participated in challengers, the WPL, and now the national team."

As celebrations continue and Charani prepares to return home, Varma is already contemplating her future impact. "She will be a primary strike bowler for India moving forward. With her recent success, she carries substantial responsibility. The only way ahead is to intensify her efforts, and she is destined to be a champion bowler for India," he remarked.

The accolades from legendary Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin have also provided a significant boost for Charani, according to Varma. "Hearing praise from a legend like him is a monumental moment for us. That was the highlight of my life—receiving commendations on Charani from someone of his stature."

"Throughout the past two years, I’ve observed her unwavering dedication. Moreover, she is inquisitive—this is her unique trait. While she may seem reserved, she often engages in one-on-one conversations, asking insightful questions and seeking clarifications," he added.

The homecoming is set to be emotional, as Reddy anticipates a warm welcome for Charani. "Everyone in Andhra Pradesh is eager to meet her, not just at our women’s academy in Mangalagiri. I’m receiving numerous messages expressing excitement about this. All the girls in Andhra and I feel fortunate to have her among us. We’re receiving countless compliments," he stated.

For the girl from Kadapa, who couldn't resist the call of the ball and would practice diligently until the sun set—this is just the beginning. India has discovered its left-arm spinner for the long haul, and N Sree Charani's journey is just starting to unfold.