In the decisive ODI against England, Indian cricket witnessed the arrival of a new pace sensation, Kranti Goud
Just 21 years old and playing only her fourth ODI, Kranti Goud delivered a spell that could be the start of something truly special: 6 for 52 in 9.5 overs, including breakthroughs in the powerplay and under pressure at the death. It wasn’t just a match-winning performance; it was a young cricketer announcing herself on the biggest stage.
India won the match by 13 runs, clinched the series 2-1, and wrapped up a historic tour of England where they also secured a T20I series win (3-2). But the real story was Kranti a bowler from Chhatrapur district in Madhya Pradesh, once playing tennis ball cricket, now dismantling England’s batting lineup in a series decider.
A Spell That Had It All
Kranti started by striking early with the new ball, setting the tone with disciplined lines and sharp movement. Her ability to bowl at the stumps and force mistakes in the powerplay broke England’s rhythm. But it was her composure at the death when batters often go after inexperienced bowlers that turned her spell into a match-winner.
She sealed her five-for with a pinpoint yorker, a delivery that speaks of confidence beyond her years. Fielding backed her up too: Deepti Sharma’s brilliant catch in the gully and Jemimah Rodrigues’ athletic grabs in the deep reflected a team fully switched on. But make no mistake: the heart of this win was Kranti Goud.
Joining an Elite Club
With this spell, Kranti entered an exclusive list of Indian women’s cricket:
- Only the second Indian pacer to take a five-wicket haul in women’s ODIs on English soil, after the legendary Jhulan Goswami, who took 6/31 against New Zealand at Southgate in 2011.
- At 21 years and 345 days, she became the youngest Indian pacer to take a fifer in women’s ODIs, surpassing Jhulan (23 years, 12 days).
- Her 6/52 is now among the best ODI figures by an Indian woman:
✅ Mamatha Maben – 6/10 vs SL, 2004
✅ Deepti Sharma – 6/20 vs SL, 2016
✅ Jhulan Goswami – 6/31 vs NZ, 2011
✅ Deepti Sharma – 6/31 vs WI, 2024
✅ Kranti Goud – 6/52 vs ENG, 2025
And she is only the second youngest Indian pacer (male or female) to pick a fifer in ODIs after Irfan Pathan.
From Chhatrapur to Chester-le-Street
Kranti’s journey is both improbable and inspiring. Hailing from a small district in Madhya Pradesh, she first played tennis ball cricket not in academies or elite schools, but on local grounds. Her potential was spotted in the senior women’s One-Day trophy final when she dismissed Richa Ghosh for a golden duck, taking four wickets that helped Madhya Pradesh secure their maiden title over Bengal.
Then came the Women’s Premier League (WPL), and she made an immediate mark: her first WPL wicket was none other than Meg Lanning, clean bowled. That dismissal alone hinted at her promise raw, fearless, and capable of striking big names.
Why This Spell Matters
India’s pace resources in women’s cricket have historically leaned on a few names: Jhulan Goswami for two decades, and more recently Renuka Singh Thakur. In the last 12 months, only Renuka (15 wickets) has more ODI wickets than Kranti (9 wickets). For a 21-year-old just breaking in, that’s remarkable.
Historically, Indian women’s ODIs have been dominated by spin. Pacer fifers are rare:
- One in the 1990s
- Two in the 2000s
- One in the 2010s
- And now, two in the 2020s
Kranti’s addition to this list isn’t just another stat it represents the gradual emergence of a new generation of Indian pace bowlers.
A Historic Tour for India Women
The bigger picture makes her spell even more special:
- India Women won both the T20I (3-2) and ODI (2-1) series on English soil for the first time ever.
- In the ODI decider, India posted 318/5, powered by Harmanpreet Kaur’s stunning century.
- England fought hard but were bowled out for 305, with Kranti’s six-wicket haul the decisive factor.
This isn’t just a team in transition; it’s a team writing its own history.
More Than Numbers: A Star in the Making
Beyond figures and records, what stood out was Kranti’s temperament:
- Bowling to top batters in English conditions.
- Keeping her nerve when England threatened a comeback.
- Using yorkers, slower balls, and discipline instead of raw pace alone.
At 21, that balance of aggression and composure is rare. As India builds towards global tournaments, Kranti Goud offers something precious: a young pacer who can swing the new ball, hold her nerve at the death, and make breakthroughs when it matters most.
With legends like Jhulan Goswami retired and Renuka leading the current attack, the arrival of Kranti adds depth and hope. Her spell at Chester-le-Street wasn’t just about wickets; it was about belief that Indian women’s cricket can produce match-winning pacers who shape big games overseas.
From a young girl playing tennis ball cricket in Chhatrapur to becoming the second Indian pacer with a fifer in England, Kranti Goud’s story has just begun. And if this spell is any sign, the best is yet to come.
#KrantiGoud #ENGvIND #IndianWomenCricket #HistoryMakers #FutureStar 🌟🇮🇳
