Left-arm spinner Vaishnavi Sharma has realised a lifelong dream by donning the India jersey after her U19 Women's T20 World Cup triumph, but the young bowler believes that character and humility matter more than on-field performance in the demanding realm of international cricket.

In five T20 Internationals for India, Vaishnavi has taken five wickets at an average of 23.80 with an economy rate of 6.26 and best figures of 2/24. During India's multi-format tour of Australia, she made her ODI debut in Hobart but remained wicketless in that outing.

The Pride of Wearing the Tricolour

"I feel very amazing and proud to be an international cricketer now. Ever since I was 11-12 years old, I have been dreaming of wearing an India jersey and I got to wear it from last year," Vaishnavi told IANS exclusively at the 'Fancatchstic Chapter 2' event in New Delhi. "So it always gives me the best and most proud feeling. Whenever I wear it, I think that I have to do something for India and I have to give my best contribution and give it my all."

Learning from Senior Stars

While on-field success remains the primary yardstick, Vaishnavi's initial stint with the national team has offered her insights into the off-field conduct of senior players like skipper Harmanpreet Kaur and off-spin bowling all-rounder Sneh Rana. "First of all, I learnt that everyone talks about the on-field performance. But what I learnt off-field is how your character is, and how you are as a person, that is more important," she said. "Harry di, Sneh di, and all the players who are playing for India, they are very humble and very down to earth. I want to bring more of that in myself."

Eyes on India A Tour of England

After missing selection for the Women's T20 World Cup, Vaishnavi is now preparing for the India A tour of England, where she has set ambitious targets. T20 matches will be held in Northampton and Chelmsford from 20-25 June, while one-day fixtures will take place in Hove and Taunton from 28 June to 4 July. "The preparation for that is that wherever I am lacking, I will go home and practice on it. I will change my routine and make new goals. I will do as much as I can so that when I go to England and give my best performance, I can contribute for India A," she said.

Focus on Self, Not Competitors

On navigating the crowded field of left-arm spinners in Indian cricket, Vaishnavi stressed the importance of focusing on her own game rather than rivals. "I always keep a healthy competition. I compare with myself more because if I become the best by myself, then I will move forward," she explained. "So, I don't think so much – as I always think I have to do my best for India."

Madhya Pradesh's High-Performance Blueprint

Vaishnavi, who is based in Gwalior, credited her domestic side Madhya Pradesh and its Director of Cricket Chandrakant Pandit for creating a world-class training environment. "In Madhya Pradesh, there is Chandrakant Pandit – and he's Chandu sir for us. He works so hard for us and prepares every small thing for us," she said. The mixed training camps, which include both male and female cricketers, allow cross-learning and early exposure to international standards. "Even all the new rules of the BCCI are told to us very much in time. All the rules of the BCCI or related to anti-doping, etc, we are already told that all these things can happen at the next level," she added, crediting Chandrakant Pandit for bridging the gap between domestic and international cricket.