WPL 2025: Shabnam Shakil Aims for Victory with Gujarat Giants After U19 WC Triumph

New Delhi, Feb 13 (NationPress) Fast bowler Shabnam Shakil enters the 2025 season of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) following her second victory at the Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup with the Indian team.

With the joy of her triumph in Kuala Lumpur forever in her mind, Shabnam’s immediate objective is to secure wins for the Gujarat Giants, who kick off the WPL 2025 season facing off against the defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara this Friday.

“Certainly, it was a remarkable feeling because winning a World Cup is a unique achievement. But clinching it twice highlights our formidable strength as a team. Honestly, I was not prepared for such an overwhelming reception after our World Cup victory. I felt a mix of emotions. I must thank everyone involved because it fills me with pride and gratitude.”

“The WPL has become a vital platform for me, as it helps me work toward my goals while providing a great opportunity to showcase my talent. Playing alongside international and senior players in the WPL offers incredible exposure,” Shabnam shared with IANS.

During the second season of the WPL held in New Delhi, Shabnam made her debut for the five-team tournament representing GG and secured her first wicket by dismissing Nat Sciver-Brunt. However, it was her performance against UP Warriorz that illuminated the Arun Jaitley Stadium as she took down Alyssa Healy, Chamari Athapaththu, and her teammate from the India U19 team, Shweta Sehrawat, in quick succession.

“The support I receive is crucial to my journey. In my first season, I lacked opportunities, but I learned by observing others. In season two, I got my chance and thoroughly enjoyed playing. I aspire to perform well for the team and help us win matches in this third season,” she said.

“Our preparations have been exceptional. All players have come together, and we genuinely enjoy each other's company. We will express ourselves while sticking to the fundamentals. Keeping things simple will be our goal as we strive to give our best,” she added.

Raised in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, Shabnam began her cricket journey at the age of 8. Although she was uncertain about her dreams as a child, she recalls being very engaged in dance.

Her father, Mohammed Shakil, an Indian Navy official, played cricket at the club level as a pacer. Recognizing the vast possibilities in women’s cricket motivated Shabnam to pursue the sport with enthusiasm.

“He wanted to see me play cricket. So, I developed an interest and continued playing because I genuinely enjoyed it. That’s how I got started. I admired Jhulan Goswami for her bowling – her pace, action, and aggression, which I truly respected,” she said.

“He is undoubtedly very proud and happy; this is a proud moment for him too. He understands that this is just the beginning of my journey, which starts with winning two World Cups.”

“I always felt elated when I stood near my run-up. In games, they would call out, the first over is going to be Shabnam Shakil - they used to mention my dad’s name, and that brought me joy,” Shabnam reminisced.

Shabnam’s ability to bowl at speeds exceeding 110 km/h quickly caught the attention of selectors, leading to her inclusion in the India squad, ultimately winning the 2023 U19 Women’s T20 World Cup as the youngest team member. However, she had limited playtime due to unfavorable conditions in South Africa.

After serving as a reserve for the senior team during the home series against South Africa, Shabnam rejoined the Indian squad for the 2025 U19 World Cup a few months ago. However, she noticed that she was bowling below 100 km/h and faced challenges with her weight.

Her strong rapport with Rajib Dutta, the India U19 bowling coach and a lead faculty member at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, helped Shabnam regain her form just in time for the World Cup, where she made a crucial breakthrough in the final against South Africa, providing India with an early advantage in the championship match at the Bayuemas Oval.

Currently, Shabnam is bowling at her best. “One should realize that she’s young and requires mentoring, just like any senior bowler needs consistent guidance. She’s also a talented fielder, making her a complete package,” said a source tracking Shabnam’s progress in the national setup to IANS.

“Her deliveries have begun to swing a lot again, her speed has improved significantly, and her control has enhanced. It will be intriguing to see how she rises to the challenge of increasing her speed without losing accuracy. Additionally, it will be interesting to observe how captain Ashleigh Gardner utilizes Shabnam throughout the tournament.”

“It's crucial to approach players like Shabnam and Titas Sadhu with care. Their injury worries are now resolved, but patience will be needed for one to two years before they can truly make a significant impact on the sport,” remarked a source monitoring Shabnam’s growth in the national setup to IANS.

Shabnam’s dedication to cricket is evident in her 4:30 am wake-up calls for 5:15 am bowling sessions in Visakhapatnam, with each effort rooted in a disciplined commitment to mastering the art of fast bowling.

A promising future filled with success awaits this spirited teenager from Visakhapatnam, whose positive attitude and determination to help her team win and thrive in challenging situations have been her standout traits. Prepare for an exhilarating display of pace bowling from Shabnam in WPL 2025.