Year into off-spin, Deeksha state's big-game bowler

Bengaluru: Deeksha J.Hon nushree’s five-wicket haul against a strong Andhra Pradesh side tilted the finals of the National Women’s Under-19 T20 Championship firmly in Karnataka’s favour, securing the trophy. Remarkably, it was the second time she had taken a five-for in the same tournament.

“At the end of the day, it’s the team’s win that makes you truly happy. Taking wickets, hitting fours, affecting run outs – it all feels great. Picking five wickets in the final, and that too against a good team, feels really good,” she said. For someone capable of dismantling half a batting line-up, one might assume she had been doing this for years. Yet she has been bowling off-spin for only a year.

“I started as a medium pacer and batter, but about a year ago, I switched to off spin,” she said, adding that the transition was tough. “Initially, it was hard to convert from pace to spin because they’re totally different. Spot bowling, drills and practice helped me improve. My coach supported me through out. Converting your skill set isn’t easy, so you need someone to back you. He also helped me develop variations.”

The 18-year-old was always drawn to sports skating and kabaddi among them – but her interest in cricket grew after watching local boys play. She has trained at the same academy, Bowlout Cricket Academy in Mysuru, with the same coach, Rajath, since she began, and is now a probable for the state’s Under-23 side. A fan of Smriti Mandhana, Nathan Lyon and Ashleigh Gardner, she seems to have imbibed their elite mindset.

“Mentality is part of our daily routine. It fluctuates a lot. When we’re off, our coach backs us, and that’s when we understand where we’re going wrong and what needs to be done,” Deeksha said. Mental conditioning is as essential to the team as drills, weight training and endurance work. Their success, she believes, reflects the Karnataka State Cricket Association’s (KSCA) commitment to nurturing talent.

She praised the KSCA for its support and for providing opportunities such as the Maharani Cup and regular camps, which help build the close-knit unit needed to win. “Karnataka produces a lot of good talent every year. Other states do as well, but Karnataka is one of the best producers of cricketers, boys and girls,” she said.

Deeksha is now focused on maintaining her winning form in the ZP and NSA games, where strong performances could earn her a place in the National Women’s Under-19 team.