Every sportsperson’s journey is shaped not just by talent, but by moments of uncertainty that test belief and character. Anushka Sharma is a rising star in Indian women’s cricket, but getting to the Women’s Premier League (WPL) hasn’t been easy for her.
It’s a story of early promise, crushing self-doubt, quiet strength, and finally redemption on the biggest stage for women’s cricket in India.
Anushka Sharma started playing cricket when she was very young, before most kids knew what they liked to do. Gwalior is where she was born. When she was a kid in Gwalior, her older brother taught her how to play. I liked playing cricket at first, but I didn’t want to make it my job. Her dad had to make do with what little he had. He made her some temporary safety gear so she could play without worrying. She used to play with boys in the neighborhood when she was younger. This made her stronger and more determined to win.
Anushka began to stand out when she turned 14. She became famous for her performances at the under-16 level, and soon she was a regular on the age-group teams in Madhya Pradesh. She was a good player because she could throw and hit. She was very proud to be in charge of the under-19 team at such a young age.
Things that grow quickly can make you feel more worried. Everyone had high hopes for Anushka when she moved up from junior to senior cricket. People played in different ways, and it was harder to score runs. This time was hard for someone who was used to winning. Over time, confidence started to fade.
The uncertainty grew even more during the COVID-19 lockdown. When Anushka stopped playing cricket all the time, she started to doubt her own skills. The quiet of that time made her worries worse. She wondered if she really belonged at the top level or if her early success was just a fluke. She had trouble separating her worth from her body, like many other young athletes.
A Talk That Changed Everything
The turning point came not on the field, but at home. Talking honestly with her family helped her look at things in a new way. Someone told her that one bad season doesn’t have to define her career and that going through hard times can help her grow.
At that moment, she changed her mind. Cricket was no longer about proving herself every game; it was about trusting the process and not being afraid to give it her all. This change in how I think changed my life. Anushka stopped worrying about the results and started getting ready, being strict, and being clear at the crease. When the pressure of expectations was off, she could play her natural game again.
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Anushka find a new sense of purpose after the lockdown. She learned to put patience before urgency, worked on her skills, and trained with coaches who had been there before. Older cricketers told her things like “one ball at a time,” which helped her get back on track. It was clear that she had gotten better at both Under-23 cricket and senior domestic tournaments. When she came back, she was older, scored a lot of points, and helped her team win games. She also did well in the Madhya Pradesh Premier League, where she showed she could handle both good bowling and a lot of pressure.
Anushka became famous at home after the WPL Auction, which made her a star at the WPL auction. A lot of teams wanted her, so her name quickly became a hot topic. She finally got a deal with the Gujarat Giants, which was a big step forward for her career.
The WPL was a new challenge with famous players from other countries, full stadiums, and a lot of media coverage. But Anushka didn’t seem too worried. In her first few games, she showed that she could play with confidence, knew what was going on in the game, and had the right attitude for the top level. Every time she went out on stage, she felt more and more at home.
Anushka Sharma is different not only because she is talented but also because she thinks about things in a new way. She is one of a group of Indian women cricketers who are learning how to handle stress, peer pressure, and not knowing what their job will be like when they grow up. You can get in if you have talent, but you need faith to stay, as her story shows.
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Anushka’s story is still going on at the start of her WPL career. The league is just one step in the right direction. Next could be a national selection, an international exposure, or a leadership role. She is strong and determined enough to go even further after everything she has been through.
Anushka Sharma’s story, from a young girl in Gwalior playing with makeshift gear to sharing a dressing room with global stars in the WPL, is a powerful reminder that self-doubt doesn’t have to be the end; it can be the start of something great.
