WPL 2025: Nandini Kashyap's Trophy-Winning Mentality Earns Her Spot with Delhi Capitals

New Delhi, Feb 14 (NationPress) December 15, 2024, is a date that will be forever remembered by Nandini Kashyap. It was a moment of double celebration for Nandini - she was signed by Delhi Capitals at the Women’s Premier League (WPL) auction for INR 10 lakh and earned her first call-up to the Indian team for T20Is against the West Indies in Navi Mumbai.

While at their team hotel, Nandini received a call from two teammates urging her to watch the mini-auction proceedings happening in Bengaluru. However, she was more inclined towards resting before heading to DY Patil Stadium.

“Suddenly, they switched on the TV, and my name popped up. There was a brief pause - around 10 seconds. Finally, DC made a bid, and I was thrilled to join DC, a team that had reached the finals in the past two years,” Nandini recollected in an exclusive chat with IANS before DC’s inaugural WPL 2025 match against Mumbai Indians in Vadodara.

In this season’s Senior Women’s T20 Trophy, Nandini showcased her talent, scoring 579 runs with an average of 57.90 and a strike rate of 131.89. In the Senior Women’s T20 Challenger Trophy, she was the top scorer with 332 runs in five matches, averaging 83 and striking at 137.19, leading Team E to victory in Ranchi.

Her remarkable performances led to trials with Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore, as the trials for DC and UP Warriorz were canceled. After finalizing her WPL deal, Nandini realized her childhood dream of singing the national anthem as part of the Indian team in Navi Mumbai.

Although she didn’t participate in the series, the experience of singing the anthem in the India jersey was exhilarating.

“It was a lifelong dream, and when it finally materialized, I felt immense joy. Singing the anthem with the team gave me goosebumps,” she expressed.

“Watching Smriti, Harry (Harmanpreet Kaur), and Jemi (Jemimah Rodrigues) play, I focused on their intent and the qualities that make them legends in the Indian squad,” she added.

Upon joining Delhi Capitals in their pre-season camp in Pune, Nandini admitted to feeling nervous as a newcomer. However, the warmth and encouragement from seasoned players like Jemimah, Radha Yadav, Arundhati Reddy, and her captain, Meg Lanning (whom she affectionately refers to as “Meg di”), helped her feel at ease.

Nandini is eager to learn from Meg and Jemimah, her cricketing idols, during WPL.

“I want to observe Meg di’s captaincy, her mindset, and thought process during a game. Understanding this will help me grasp why the Australian team excels in international cricket and how they maintain their mental strength. Being under her guidance is a valuable opportunity for me,” she noted.

“From Jemi, I want to understand how she manages various aspects of the game. I admire her not just as a player but also as a remarkable person. I am already learning a lot from her this season,” she added.

“There will definitely be plenty of learning opportunities, both in terms of the game and observing everyone’s daily routines, especially on match days, which I find intriguing,” she concluded.

Having only taken up cricket five years ago, Nandini's rapid ascent in the sport is noteworthy. Growing up in Dehradun, the capital of Uttarakhand, she was initially inclined towards badminton, encouraged by her mother to pursue an individual sport.

However, her father, a cricket enthusiast, persuaded her to explore the sport, leading to her swift entry into the Khalsa Cricket Academy. “My father insisted I give it a shot, and I joined the cricket academy immediately. My mother didn’t mind, saying it was my choice if I enjoyed it,” she shared.

Currently, she trains under Ravi Negi at the Nimbus Cricket Academy whenever she returns home. “It has been an incredible experience, and everything I am today is due to his hard work over the last couple of years. I am grateful to have him as my coach,” she said.

Following a brief stint with India’s U19 team in 2022, Nandini’s fortunes transformed dramatically in September 2024, when she emerged as the leading run-scorer in the Uttarakhand Premier League women's competition, securing the title for her team, the Mussoorie Thunders.

With 123 runs from three matches, averaging 61.5 and striking at 133.7, Nandini was the standout performer, earning both the Emerging Player and Player of the Tournament accolades.

In addition to honing her skills during the off-season, Nandini dedicated significant time to fostering a strong and focused mindset for her performance on the field. She also began setting goals for the domestic season, a practice she had not previously adopted, including the aspiration to win a trophy in each tournament she participated in.

“I aimed to secure a trophy for the Uttarakhand team. That was my goal. Gradually, I achieved it. So, yes, my ultimate objective was to win trophies in every tournament, which would be incredibly fulfilling. As an opening batter, I always thought about contributing to the team, knowing that if I batted well, I would score runs and perform,” she stated.

This mindset carried over to her time with the Mussoorie Thunders, a team primarily composed of U15 and U19 players, with only Nandini and Mansi Joshi being exceptions. “Mansi was mature, while I was just trying to fit in. But I kept telling myself that we had to win this trophy. It was firmly in my mind that this trophy was meant for us,” she said. “Whenever I batted, my focus was on helping the team win.”

“My role was straightforward - during team meetings, it was clear that I just needed to stay at the crease for effective strike rotation. This was our game plan, and it worked as we kept winning. When I was announced as the award winner, I didn’t even check the leaderboard to see who had the most runs, but when I received it, I was ecstatic,” she reflected.

In addition to Nandini, three other players from Uttarakhand—her close friend and fellow batter Raghvi Bist, all-rounder Prema Rawat, and left-arm spinner Ekta Bisht—will be representing RCB in WPL 2025. Nandini, aged 21, attributes the increased visibility of Uttarakhand players’ performances to securing their first-ever WPL contracts.

“In Uttarakhand, everyone is skilled, but the absence of a platform was always an issue. Now that a platform exists, players are making the most of it. They are performing well and gaining experience in high-stakes matches. Everyone in the Uttarakhand team is capable of handling pressure. The need for confidence is always there; it’s not that it was lacking before. But this year, our performances have gained greater visibility,” she explained.

Nandini also credits Anagha Deshpande, the head coach of Uttarakhand, for playing a crucial role in enhancing both her performance and that of the team.

“The credit for Uttarakhand's success goes entirely to her. She has been with us from the start, knowing every player's strengths and weaknesses – including strategy and planning,” she remarked.

“She has transformed our mindset, which is crucial. Thanks to her, everyone is now focused on winning. We no longer concern ourselves with who our opponents are. We simply go out, play our game, and express ourselves,” she added.

Nandini’s consistency extended beyond T20 cricket, as she scored 550 runs in the Senior Women’s One Day Trophy, averaging 55 with a strike rate of 81.48. In the Senior Women’s One Day Challenger Trophy, she scored 202 runs in four matches at an average of 50.5 and a strike rate of 84.16 for Team E.

With Meg and Shafali Verma opening for DC, Nandini’s main challenge will be to step up in the WPL and adapt to a middle-order batting position. Additionally, she will compete with Taniya Bhatia and Sarah Bryce of Scotland for the wicketkeeper's spot in DC’s playing eleven.

However, it wouldn't be surprising if Nandini, the compact yet highly proficient wicketkeeper-opener, adept at handling both spin and pace while finding gaps, rises to the occasion. With her strong trophy-hunting mentality, Nandini could be the key to DC securing their first WPL title, marking yet another unforgettable moment in her journey.

“Winning a trophy brings me immense joy in cricket, as it has always been my ultimate ambition. Whenever I contribute to my team and secure a trophy, it makes my day. I truly hope we can win a trophy for DC this season,” she concluded.