U19 WC: Parunika Sisodia's Determination to Shine in Cricket

New Delhi, Jan 17 (NationPress) At first glance, Parunika Sisodia appears to be just like any typical teenager, exuding enthusiasm and sporting a genuine smile. Yet, she stands out as a remarkable young talent; she was once a tennis player in the Under 12 category in New Delhi, inspired by icons like Serena Williams and Sania Mirza.

Her journey took a pivotal turn in January 2018, when she watched her father, Sudhir, coaching cricket at the Yamuna Sports Complex in Surajmal Vihar, East Delhi. This moment ignited her passion for cricket, prompting her to swap her tennis racquet for a cricket ball.

Since then, her cricketing journey has been a blend of challenges and triumphs. With a heart full of gratitude and wisdom, Parunika is now ready to play a crucial role in India’s U19 Women’s T20 World Cup mission, with hopes to defend their title from 2023.

“I am incredibly thankful as this is such an exhilarating experience – representing India on the World Cup stage is monumental. I cherish this chance because I was part of the quadrangular series before the last World Cup, but sadly missed out on the tournament. Being here now, playing for India in the World Cup, feels immensely special,” Parunika shared in an exclusive interview with IANS before heading to Kuala Lumpur.

India’s victory in the inaugural Women’s U19 Asia Cup, which coincidentally took place in Malaysia last month, serves as a tremendous confidence booster. “We are familiar with the local conditions. Winning the Asia Cup has certainly allayed our nerves, and now we are prepared to play and give our best,” she stated.

“Our coaches have been clear about our roles, encouraging us to express ourselves on the field. They support us fully, allowing us the freedom to play our game,” Parunika continued, currently honing her skills at RP Cricket Academy in Gargi College under the guidance of Surjeet Verma and Ajay Verma.

Among the highlights of her dynamic cricketing career, known for her controlled bowling and variations, Parunika considers her debut performance for Delhi in the Senior Women’s One-Day Trophy against Jharkhand on October 31, 2021, where she achieved 5 wickets for 26 runs, as her “most cherished performance.”

“I was immediately promoted to the senior team from U19, and everyone advised me to stay calm. They encouraged me to bowl freely, assuring me that even if I got hit, they would support me. I went on to claim my first five-wicket haul, a milestone I had not achieved before, especially after the pandemic,” she recounted.

Parunika’s impressive debut in senior women’s cricket is even more remarkable as she only embraced the sport three years ago, initially having little interest in cricket while pursuing tennis, even before mastering the left-arm spin technique.

“I would accompany my father for fitness sessions, and through summer camps, my interest in cricket blossomed. By 2018, I realized this was the sport I wanted to dedicate myself to for the future,” she explained.

Believing she would excel as a batter despite her tennis background, Parunika’s father encouraged her to look up to players like Mithali Raj and Smriti Mandhana, whom she admired greatly as she transitioned into cricket. She was amazed to see how girls played the game, which was new to her.

Eventually, she shifted to medium-pace bowling, but one rainy day led her to try left-arm spin. “Since we couldn’t bowl medium-pace due to the rain, I decided to give spin a chance. I seemed to bowl well, and my father insisted I pursue spin bowling,” she shared.

“I was inspired by Daniel Vettori, who has always been my idol,” she added.

Identified as a reserve for Delhi’s U23 team, Parunika made her U19 debut in the 2019/20 season, just before the pandemic hit, and emerged as the seventh leading wicket-taker in the one-day tournament. After the pandemic, she became the second-highest wicket-taker in the 2021/22 Senior Women’s One-Day Trophy with 14 wickets – tied with three others.

In the following season, Parunika topped the wicket-taker list in the Senior Women’s One-Day Trophy with 21 wickets and also led the North Zone in the subsequent zonal tournament. Her stellar performances earned her a spot with the Gujarat Giants for the inaugural 2023 Women’s Premier League (WPL) season.

Parunika admitted she felt star-struck being in the presence of renowned Indian and international players. “My primary goal was to learn everything from them, from their diets to their playing strategies and routines. I focused entirely on absorbing knowledge,” she expressed.

Nooshin Al Khadeer, the former bowling coach and now the head coach of India U19, recognized Parunika. However, meeting Mithali, whom she had admired since childhood, was her priority.

“I expressed to my coaches my desire to meet Mithali because I idolized her. When she arrived for the first practice, she greeted me, saying, ‘Oh, hi Parunika, you’re the left-hand spinner, right?’ I was thrilled that she knew my name and recognized my role in cricket. I immediately called my dad to share the news that ‘Mithali knows me!’”

Despite her team finishing last in the WPL 2023, Parunika gained invaluable experience in managing pressure and staying composed.

“I had never experienced such a large audience cheering for women’s cricket. During matches against the Mumbai Indians, their supporters filled the stadium. It was thrilling to see, and we focused on calming our nerves, showcasing our skills. The WPL has significantly changed the landscape for Indian players,” she remarked.

Missing out on the previous India U19 squad that claimed the prestigious World Cup trophy in 2023 has taught Parunika to focus on ‘controllables’ and contribute her best for the team in the upcoming tournament.

During the U19 Women’s Asia Cup, she took nine wickets, becoming the second-highest wicket-taker, closely following fellow left-arm spinner Aayushi Shukla, who claimed ten wickets. Much of India’s success will hinge on the left-arm spin quartet of Parunika, Aayushi, Sonam Yadav (2023 World Cup winner), and Vaishnavi Sharma, who are all set to challenge and outsmart opposing batsmen throughout the tournament.

“All of us are quite relaxed about taking wickets. Whomever is performing well, we celebrate their success. There was a match where the three of us took four wickets consecutively. We often encourage one another, discussing how we can each shine in our own matches,” she explained.

Outside of cricket, Parunika enjoys sleeping, which helps her recover after intense matches. When not resting, she loves hanging out with her friends. She feels less pressure concerning her studies compared to her peers in the 12th grade, thanks to her family’s supportive approach of ‘learn what you can, and you’ll be fine’.

If India secures their second U19 Women’s T20 World Cup title on February 2, Parunika will feel fulfilled, continuing the legacy of the team as the best U19 women’s cricket side globally and igniting greater interest in the sport back home.

“We are all concentrating on how we can contribute to winning that trophy. I hope Indian fans come out to support us. I want them to know that Malaysia is an excellent vacation destination to witness us claim the trophy,” she concluded.