Young Indian fast bowler Nandni Sharma mentioned that she grew up watching Irfan Pathan and admired his ability to swing the ball. She also stated that players like Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah have been significant influences in her career.
Regarding women’s Cricket, Sharma expressed her admiration for South African all-rounder Marizanne Kapp and her bowling skills.
“I grew up watching Irfan Pathan sir bowl. The way he swung the ball and took wickets inspired me. Currently, I look up to Bhuvneshwar bhaiya and Bumrah paaji. Their control and variations are something I aim to learn from. In women’s cricket, Marizanne Kapp is my favorite. She bowls with pace and always gives her best, which motivates me,” Nandni shared with JioStar.
Nandni Sharma started playing cricket with boys at a young age, which helped her enhance her skills rapidly.
“When I began bowling, the coaches encouraged me to play with the boys. I was the only girl, but that didn’t stop me. I practiced with them daily, and this helped me improve quickly. They bowled fast and hit hard, pushing me to elevate my game. I was attracted to fast bowling, as it was thrilling to see the boys run in and bowl with pace. I wanted to do the same,” she explained.
At one point, I thought about becoming a spinner: Nandni Sharma
Sharma disclosed that she had considered becoming a spinner earlier in her career. She acknowledged that fast bowling is challenging and can lead to injuries, but her success in this area encouraged her to continue with it.
“I did think about being a spinner at one point. That idea crossed my mind several times. However, things were going well with fast bowling. I was taking wickets and improving with every game, so I focused on that,” she noted.
“Fast bowling is tough, and injuries are common. You have to keep fit and take care of your body. Sometimes I questioned whether I should try spin bowling, but my success with pace made me stick to it. Getting wickets boosted my confidence,” she added.