History was made and dreams fulfilled at the inaugural edition of the Women’s Maharashtra Premier League (WMPL) as the Solapur Smashers stormed to their maiden victory, toppling a star-studded Ratnagiri Jets led by none other than India’s vice-captain, Smriti Mandhana. But beyond the scoreboard and the eight-wicket win, the evening belonged to one name, Sharayu Kulkarni.
There are debuts, and then there are debuts that become instant folklore. Sharayu Kulkarni, the pace sensation, wrote her own script with the first delivery she bowled in the WMPL. It was not just any wicket; it was the prized wicket of Smriti Mandhana, sending shockwaves through the Ratnagiri camp and fueling Solapur’s belief.
“Actually, I’ve been manifesting this wicket for a long time, and it’s every girl’s dream to take Smriti’s wicket,” Sharayu shared with a smile, her excitement infectious.
What followed the wicket was not just a celebration but a statement, an athletic backflip that had the crowd on their feet and social media buzzing. “The celebration we actually got inspired by Rishabh Pant. We saw his celebration in the IPL. Since I was into gymnastics, I thought, I’ll do it and it worked out,” Sharayu beamed.
Her teammates knew about her flair for acrobatics and, as she revealed, the backflip was a part of the plan. “Yes, it was definitely planned because they knew I was into gymnastics. The coaches said, ‘You could try this.’ I said, ‘I’ll try it, and then it worked out.”
But for fans hoping for more circus-style stunts, Sharayu humorously added, “No, no, this is one thing. The other things, the physio won’t allow!”
Despite her match-winning figures of 3 overs, 33 runs, and 2 wickets (including the pivotal one of Smriti Mandhana), Sharayu remains grounded. “I think I’m a pretty junior player in this team because we have lots of senior players, and definitely Smriti. So, we are learning from them, and those who are watching, I hope we get to see them as well on this ground.”
Her message to the next generation is loaded with simplicity and wisdom, “It’s nothing about telling people how and what we could do, but it is just about enjoying the moments in the match.”
On a night when history was written and destinies changed, Sharayu Kulkarni’s beaming face and dazzling acrobatics ignited a spark, not just for Solapur but for every youngster dreaming on a dusty pitch. As the WMPL unfolds, Sharayu is poised to be more than just a Player of the Match; she is a star in the making, inspiring countless others to dream bigger, celebrate harder, and always enjoy the moment.
With players like Sharayu Kulkarni in the spotlight, the future of women’s cricket in Maharashtra and India has never looked brighter.
(Quotes sourced from a video posted by WMPL T20)
