Nandni Sharma once dreamed of becoming a lawyer or an astronaut like many in her childhood. She chose cricket instead and is now reaping the rewards. On Saturday, the BCCI named teams for the Women’s T20 World Cup and tour of Englandwhere she should feature not only in the T20Is but also in the Lord’s Test in July.
2026 was a breakthrough year for Nandni. She had earlier impressed in her maiden campaign in the Women’s Premier League with Delhi Capitals. In the same match against Gujarat Giants, she took a hat-trick and five wickets to finish with 17 wickets in 10 games at an economy rate of 8.31. Nandni admitted that pursuing cricket is more achievable than becoming a lawyer or an astronaut.
“I mean I chose cricket very early in life. But yes, as a child everyone has different dreams, mine was to become a lawyer or an astronaut. But all these were very difficult so I couldn’t pursue that and instead I continued with cricket,” Nandni said at a function in Chandigarh on Monday.
‘THREATENING FEELING’
Nandni also shared how she and her family reacted to her first national challenge. The 24-year-old revealed she was driving when her boyfriend called her to break the news.
“The reaction was very emotional, everyone was stunned, including my family and me. When I got to know, I was driving. Then I parked on the side. My friend called me and at first I couldn’t believe it. Then I checked myself and found that the news was true. It was a very overwhelming feeling after that,” added Nandni.
Earlier, Jemimah Rodrigues, who led Nandni in the WPL, praised the pacer for her consistency and impact in the WPLadmits that the team did not expect such immediate returns. She expressed confidence that the experienced setup in India will nurture her and help her reach her full potential.
India will play a three-match T20I series in England before starting their T20 World Cup campaign against Pakistan on June 14 at Edgbaston, Birmingham.
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Issued by:
sabyasachi chowdhury
Published on:
04 May 2026 18:10 IST
