Synopsis
Sanskriti Gupta's journey from being a dedicated fan of the Mumbai Indians to becoming a player in WPL 2025 is remarkable. Her unwavering confidence led her to the auction and subsequent trials, culminating in her dream of playing for MI.Key Takeaways
- Sanskriti's confidence in joining MI led her to attend only their trials.
- She received support from coaches and family upon joining MI.
- Her passion for cricket was nurtured from a young age by her family.
- Sanskriti transitioned from a fan to a player during WPL 2025.
- She aims to contribute significantly in upcoming matches.
New Delhi, Feb 21 (NationPress) Sanskriti Gupta’s unwavering belief in being selected by the Mumbai Indians during last year’s WPL auction in Bengaluru is apparent in her confident statements. Sanskriti was so convinced she would join MI that she exclusively participated in the team’s trials prior to the auction.
“I was mentally prepared that perhaps MI would choose me in the auction this time, as I only attended their trials. When MI finally picked me for INR 10 lakh, everyone was overjoyed, including my family back home,” she stated.
“The head coach, Charlotte Edwards, sent me a message welcoming me to the family. Devieka Palshikaar, the batting coach, also reached out, saying, ‘It’s great to have you; we will win this time,’” Sanskriti reminisces, now proudly part of the MI roster in WPL 2025, during an exclusive interview with IANS.
Her deep-rooted fandom for MI began with their 2019 IPL final triumph, where Lasith Malinga bowled Shardul Thakur out on the final delivery, securing the team’s fourth championship.
During the recent Vadodara segment of WPL 2025, Sanskriti fully transitioned from MI supporter to player after participating in the team’s season opener against Delhi Capitals and contributing to the win over Gujarat Giants.
At just 20, Sanskriti has yet to exhibit her complete all-round capabilities in the WPL, having scored only two runs in one innings and not yet bowled her off-spin, which played a crucial role in Madhya Pradesh’s Senior Women’s One-Day Trophy victory. However, she still made her presence felt through her fielding, claiming two catches and executing a run-out.
Although the WPL 2025 season is still unfolding, Sanskriti is anticipated to make substantial contributions in matches taking place in Bengaluru, Lucknow, and Mumbai. Presently, she is thrilled with the affection and support she has received from the MI camp, with her family eagerly awaiting her future performances.
"It has been an incredibly fulfilling experience. When I spoke to the coaches before my debut match, they all encouraged me to perform well. I shared the news of my debut with my family, and they were ecstatic, following my progress closely during the WPL. When Saturday’s game aired, everyone was glued to the TV, anticipating my performance,” she said.
“In the domestic circuit, there is a lot of freedom, but they do guide you on how to approach things. Here, you simply need to be yourself. You’re selected because you’re good, and that’s all that matters. The coaches in the MI set-up have been exceptional; everyone is supportive and kind towards me,” she added.
Originating from Sidhi, a district about an hour and 20 minutes away from Rewa in Madhya Pradesh, Sanskriti began her cricket journey in the sixth grade. Through cricket, especially women’s cricket, she discovered a whole new realm that she had never encountered before.
Her family played a significant role in encouraging her to pursue the sport—her father played football and dabbled in cricket and basketball during his youth, while her uncles participated in various sports, understanding the challenges of building a career in athletics.
“At 17-18, they frequently inquired when I would compete at a higher level and were concerned that despite my long-term dedication, progress was lacking. However, now they are incredibly supportive and eager for me to play as many matches as possible,” Sanskriti recalled.
To advance her cricket career, she relocated from Sidhi to Shahdol after 1.5 years of training, where improved facilities enabled her to participate in divisional matches. Three years later, her life transformed when the government-funded Women’s Cricket Academy in Shivpuri opened in January 2022, and she immediately joined.
“I resided in Shahdol, representing the division matches, and rented a room there for three years. When the academy opened, I didn’t hesitate to move directly to Shivpuri, where I found a coach named Arun Singh,” she said.
Sanskriti’s remarkable fielding in her two WPL matches is a result of the strong emphasis on fielding skills during her early training, which also contributed to her selection for the Madhya Pradesh senior women’s team. “While in Sidhi, I focused extensively on fielding at the academy there. This is a significant reason for my proficiency in fielding,” she explained.
“Upon moving to Shahdol, I gradually developed my batting and bowling skills through rigorous practice. Initially, I started as a pacer and later transitioned to off-spin bowling while already being proficient in batting. Over time, I honed my skills across all areas of the game.”
Training under Singh at the academy in Shivpuri also facilitated Sanskriti’s growth as an all-rounder. “I am grateful for his dedication to my development. I haven’t encountered a coach like him yet. If a young player finds a mentor like him early in their career, they will achieve great heights,” she remarked.
“One can learn a lot from him. He identifies the right aspects for you to improve as cricketers across all skill sets and understands what a player needs. I enjoy a solid rapport with him, as you can communicate openly,” she added.
Competing for Madhya Pradesh’s U-16 team for three years, Sanskriti experienced fierce competition and recognized the necessity for more dedication to advance to a higher level. “There, I grasped the competitive nature of women’s cricket. It solidified my determination to continue playing cricket, regardless of the challenges,” she shared.
While she relished hitting sixes over long-on and bowling off-breaks to dismiss right-handed batsmen, Sanskriti reflects on her three challenging years with the U19 team, during which she struggled to achieve significant progress. Nevertheless, the Madhya Pradesh system refused to abandon her, and she eventually found success.
“The MP team provided immense support, but I struggled to deliver results. Despite this, they stood by me, and eventually, my performances improved in the U23 category. In my final year of U19, I scored a century and later achieved 39 runs off 13 balls,” she recounted.
Following this, Sanskriti played a pivotal role in Madhya Pradesh’s consecutive victories across the U19, U23, and Senior Women’s categories. “I performed well in all these competitions. I bowled the last over in the U23 final when Delhi needed eight runs off six balls, and we triumphed from that point.”
“The support during our recent one-day championship win was incredible. All the teammates exerted tremendous effort, as we had long awaited the senior trophy and worked diligently to achieve it. When the outcome was finally revealed, it was immensely gratifying,” she expressed.
Although Sanskriti went wicketless in the Senior Women’s One Day Trophy final this season, she had taken 16 wickets in Madhya Pradesh’s journey to winning the trophy for the first time. Competing in the same eleven was pacer Kranti Goud, who took four wickets in the final and is currently with UP Warriorz in the WPL.
This achievement positioned Sanskriti and Kranti as the second and third players from Madhya Pradesh to participate in the WPL, following Indian all-rounder Pooja Vastrakar, who is sidelined due to injury.
“It’s a matter of pride that young talent from Madhya Pradesh is emerging in the WPL. Being part of the WPL is a significant opportunity for us, as we young players will gain valuable experience at the senior level in terms of matches and conditions,” she noted.
“Seizing earlier opportunities will benefit us in the future. It’s a proud moment for young players like us to have the chance to showcase our talent on such a platform and demonstrate our capabilities in cricket,” Sanskriti added.
Sanskriti has built strong friendships with her MI teammates, including fellow spin all-rounders Amandeep Kaur, Jintimani Kalita, and G Kamalini, and has engaged with Amanjot Kaur and Sajana Sajeevan. Most importantly, she is ecstatic to be playing alongside Harmanpreet Kaur in WPL 2025.
“I don’t have many inspirations; I admire certain aspects of their play. I particularly appreciate Harman di’s fielding and her attitude on the field. I’m thrilled to be part of this team and to play alongside her. Being in her presence feels great as she is the captain of the Indian team and here as well,” she expressed.
Sanskriti’s journey has been remarkable, filled with lessons learned as she transitioned from a small town in Sidhi to competing for her cherished Mumbai Indians in the WPL. If all goes according to plan, she could become a WPL champion if MI secures the trophy at the Brabourne Stadium on March 15, based on her clear aspirations.
“Cricket imparts numerous lessons. First and foremost, it instills discipline. You learn to focus and remain grounded. You develop interpersonal skills, maturing and adapting to diverse situations. Whenever I have the chance, I aim to give my best for the team. I hope for the team to triumph and lift the trophy—that’s my ultimate desire.”
