Exclusive Interview: ‘The player I’ve seen and grown up with is MS Dhoni’ – Sneh Rana talks her cricket journey, comeback, inspiration and more

SneranaA brilliant all-rounder from the picturesque town of Uttarakhand, has emerged as a formidable force in women’s cricket. Born on February 18, 1994, she captivated the audience with her extraordinary abilities as a right-handed batsman and off-spin bowler. Rana’s cricketing career is a tapestry woven of extraordinary comebacks, brilliant performances and an indomitable spirit that embodies the essence of perseverance.

with cricket eraIn this book, Lana delves into the intricacies of her journey, sharing insights that illuminate the triumphs and tribulations she encountered along the way. With refreshing candor, she reflects on the relentless challenges of maintaining optimal health as a female athlete in a demanding sport. Her narrative is more than one of personal achievement; it is an inspiring testament to the dedication and resilience required to thrive in a competitive environment.

As Rana narrates his experiences, from crucial matches to daily training, it becomes clear that Rana is not only a talented cricketer but also a role model for aspiring sportsmen. Her story resonates deeply within the cricketing community and beyond, inspiring countless people to pursue their passions with unwavering determination.

Here are some highlights from the interview:

Q: Hailing from Uttarakhand, how did your cricketing journey begin?

Rana: Yeah, so I started playing cricket when I was very young and I loved playing with the boys and our school used to have tennis cricket tournaments and I used to take part in them. So I started like everyone else India Cricketers were playing in the streets and that was a start.

Q: How do you overcome injuries? What helped you make a comeback?

Rana: You see, with any injured player there’s always an element of risk as to when you might be able to return. But all else aside, I’m really grateful to my family for supporting me at the time. Speaking of injuries, the first three months were really tough. I was on bed rest for three consecutive months and missed games and competitions. With the support of my family and friends, I am very optimistic that everything will fall into place in the end.

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Q: What do you think is the biggest obstacle facing female cricketers today?

Rana: When we talk about men’s cricket and women’s cricket, women’s cricket is more challenging for female cricketers as we all know there is a menstrual cycle and women need to deal with various issues like cramps, mood swings etc. Ball as a sport has come into limelight now but it was not that popular before but talking about difficulties, girls faced many hurdles earlier and women are famous in this aspect of the game. Yes, there are still a lot of questions, but I believe we will all get through it in the end with a strong mindset.

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

Rana: I started off with cricket as a fun activity and the sport as a fun career and later when I got good at it the appreciation and media coverage it received really helped me to as a professional sport. When I started, there were only two names Mitali Raj and Jhulan Goswami This eventually got me interested in the sport as well. Speaking of inspiration, I really want to say the players that I see and grow from are MS Dhonion and off the field, he has always been an inspiration and helped us learn how to deal with tough situations.

Q: What qualities are necessary to be a successful cricketer?

Rana: The first and most important thing is discipline, the more disciplined you are the greater heights you will reach, secondly your behavior, how you talk to everyone, this is what measures success, and lastly your attitude, how you Treat the results, because sports have a lot of ups and downs, and it really tests the character of the players. A player needs to have an attitude that never dies but for me, discipline is the most important quality a player should have if you ask.