Exclusive Interview: “The Player I Saw and Raised by MS Dhoni” – Sneh Rana on his cricket journey, comebacks, inspiration and more

Sneh Ranathe celebrated all-rounder who hails from the picturesque city of Uttarakhand, has emerged as a formidable force in the realm of women’s cricket. Born on February 18, 1994, she captivated audiences with her exceptional skills as a right-handed batsman and off-spin bowler. Rana’s cricketing odyssey is a tapestry woven of incredible comebacks, stellar performances and an indomitable spirit that epitomizes the essence of perseverance.

In an exclusive and meaningful conversation with Cricket timesRana delves into the intricacies of her journey, sharing insights that illuminate both the triumphs and tribulations she encountered along the way. With refreshing honesty, she reflects on the relentless challenges of maintaining peak fitness as a female athlete in a demanding sport. Her narrative is not just one of personal achievement; it serves as an inspiring testament to the dedication and resilience needed to thrive in a competitive environment.

As she narrates her experiences, from crucial matches to everyday training sessions, Rana emerges not only as a talented cricketer, but also as a role model for aspiring athletes. Her story resonates deeply within the cricketing community and beyond, inspiring countless individuals to pursue their passions with unwavering determination.

Here are some highlights from the interview:

Q. Coming from Uttarakhand, how did your cricketing journey begin?

Wound: Yes, I started very young, I loved playing cricket and I used to go play with the boys, our school had tennis ball cricket matches in which I participated persistently. So I started like anyone else India a cricketer plays in the street, and that’s it, the beginning.

Q. How did you overcome the injury layoff and what helped you to come back?

Wound: You see, any player with an injury always has a risk factor involved, and around when you’re likely to return. But putting everything aside, I am really thankful to my family who supported me during that time. Speaking of the injury, the first three months were really tough lying in bed for three straight months missing the game and being involved in it. I was very confident with the support of my family and friends that everything would fall into place in the end.

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Q. What do you think are some of the biggest obstacles facing female cricketers today?

Wound: When we talk about men’s cricket and women’s cricket, women’s cricket is a bit more challenging for women cricketers, because we all know that there is a menstrual cycle that comes into play, where women have to deal with various problems like cramps, mood swings, etc. Cricket as a game is now in the limelight but earlier it was not so popular but talking about difficulties girls faced many hurdles earlier women went through to make a name in this game. Yes, there are still many problems, but I’m sure we will all be able to overcome it with a strong mindset.

Q. Who or what inspired you to take up cricket as a professional sport?

Wound: I started playing cricket as a fun activity and realized this sport as a fun venture, later when I became good at it, people’s appreciation and media coverage for this sport helped me to accept it as a professional sport. Earlier in my time when I was just starting out there were only two names Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami which eventually turned me towards sports. Speaking of inspiration, I would really like to say that the player, I saw and grew up MS Dhonion and off the field he was an inspiration and taught how to deal with a difficult situation.

Q. What qualities are essential for one to become a successful cricketer?

Wound: The first and basic thing is discipline, the more disciplined you are, the more heights you will achieve, the second is your behavior, how you talk to people with everyone, that is something that counts as successful, and the last is your attitude, how you look at results, because sport is something that has many ups and downs that really test the character of the players. A player must have a never-say-die attitude, but for me, if you ask, discipline is the most important trait a player should have.

Here is the full interview:

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This article was first published on WomenCricket.comand Cricket times company.