Spinners come and go in Indian women’s cricket these days. Like the singers in reality shows.

There has been one magnificent exception, though. One who has become an integral part of the Indian attack in no time.

Shree Charani has taken international cricket like a bird to the sky. She has taken flight in style. She keeps soaring high. The Women in Blue could not have asked for more.

They have a champion bowler who could be trusted with the ball at any stage. In any condition.

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The girl from Kadapa keeps taking wickets. She took three against Pakistan in India’s opening match in the Women’s T20 World Cup at Edgbaston. Three days later, she claimed four against the Netherlands.

On her T20I debut, a year ago at Nottingham here in England, the left-arm spinner had taken four for 12. Among her victims were Nat Sciver-Brunt and Alice Capsey. Two months earlier, she had scalped two on her ODI debut against Sri Lanka at Colombo.

She also played a big role in India’s ODI World Cup triumph at home last year. She already has picked 62 international wickets and is ranked No. 2 in the ICC ranking for T20I bowlers in women’s cricket. She is breathing down Linsey Smith’s neck.

Charani has truly been a great find. She has grown so much in stature in so little time.

She has a fine, complete action. She can vary her pace, and has a good loop. She has admirable control, as well. Little wonder, she has earned high praise from R. Ashwin.

India’s spin attack suffered a setback when Shreyanka Patil injured her ankle during the match against the Netherlands and has since been ruled out of the rest of the World Cup. Charani would not be minding additional responsibility.

She could get even better. She is just 21.

Published on Jun 19, 2026