UP Warriorz (UPW) will look to open their account in Lucknow as they take on Mumbai Indians (MI) today. MI are sitting in third place with six points while UPW are at the bottom with four points from six games. However, both teams are still in the playoff race, setting up an enthralling battle for the fans. In the reverse fixture, MI secured a convincing eight-wicket win, so UPW will be eager to step up and avoid a double defeat against them.
Ahead of this crucial clash, RevSportz had an exclusive chat with Kranti Goud’s coach, Rajiv Bilthare—the secretary of the Chhatarpur District Cricket Association (CDCA) and coach of the Sagar Division—who also runs the Sai Cricket Academy.
Kranti has been one of the brightest spots for UPW this season (five wickets in six matches), especially with her magical spell against Delhi Capitals (4/25). In the Senior Women’s One Day Trophy for Madhya Pradesh, she picked up 15 wickets in nine innings, including a four-wicket haul in the final against Bengal, helping MP clinch the title. Kranti was also named Player of the Match in that final.
In the conversation, the coach spoke about her journey, performances so far, the spell against DC, the possibility of a Team India call-up, and much more.
How happy have you been with Kranti’s performance in this WPL?
I am very happy and pleased as of now. See, for any coach, when his or her student does well, it is an achievement. I am very happy, and I also want to say that only lucky teachers get a student like Kranti.
Can you share Kranti’s journey? How did she come under your radar and join the academy?
It was in 2017 when our girls’ team went to play a tournament. Kranti’s father brought her to us and asked if there was a chance to let her play. So, we dropped one of our girls from the playing XI and gave Kranti an opportunity. Her bowling speed and fitness level were very impressive.
See, in women’s cricket, natural bowling speed is rare, especially among Indian bowlers, but Kranti had that pace naturally from the beginning. After the match, we spoke with her father and asked him to enrol her and leave her in Chhatarpur for training.
Since then, she has been with us, and soon after joining, she delivered some impressive performances in different age-group competitions. Her family was not financially well off, so I helped her a bit—whether it was with a kit, dress, or bat—and I never took any fees from her.
Can you take us through her preparations? She has been impressive not only in this WPL but also in recent domestic tournaments…
Generally, Kranti has always been a bowler who loves to bowl with the new ball. I have always used her as my opening bowler wherever she has played. But in UP Warriorz or any big team, where senior and already established bowlers are present, it becomes difficult for a youngster like Kranti to get the new ball.
However, if you perform consistently, you will eventually get that opportunity. Initially, I told her to work on her inswing deliveries so she could bring the ball into the stumps from a good length. She has worked on that over the years, and now it has become her strength and you saw that against the Delhi Capitals.
What was your reaction after seeing that spell against DC, especially the bowled dismissal of Meg Lanning?
It was a superb performance. This is something I have always told her, and even now, before every game whenever we talk, I remind her that she needs to bowl two or three inswingers before delivering that one outswinger. That should be the setup pattern. Inswing is her strength, so it needs to be used more.
But see, when a player plays for big teams, there are experienced coaches who come up with different suggestions. That is why I have always told her that she needs to listen to them as well but never let go of her strength.
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As a fast bowler, fitness is a crucial factor, especially at a young age. What do you think of her fitness?
Fitness is a huge factor for any pacer at any age. For Kranti, playing so many domestic matches have helped improve her fitness and gain experience.
Last year, she was a net bowler for MI, and at that time, she faced some fitness issues as she was being overused in the nets, bowling long spells. But now, the workload is balanced, and Kranti is managing it well.
Do you think UP Warriorz could have used Kranti more in order to improve her consistency?
See, the bowling coach and other staff at UP Warriorz are well-reputed, so saying they are not using Kranti properly would be wrong.
One thing I have noticed, and I have already spoken to Kranti about, is that she needs to test the batters more. She needs to find the area where the batter might struggle as quickly as possible and then keep hitting that line and length consistently.
We are in touch daily, even during the WPL, and before every game, she calls me. I try to help her with these inputs.
Do you see UP Warriorz qualifying for the playoffs?
The chances are there, and anything is possible in cricket. UPW is a good team, but the problem has been their batting unit compared to their bowling.
See, in the last game, the way they batted—it seemed like everyone was looking to play quickly, and in doing so, they gifted their wickets. No one applied themselves. Big players need to take the responsibility with a positive mindset.
Kranti has shown her skills as a batter at the domestic level. Do you expect her to come out to bat a bit earlier for UPW?
Kranti can bat. She even told me, ‘Sir, there is not much left for me to do when I go in to bat.’ So, I told her that she needs to make the most of whatever opportunities she gets now by playing one or two good knocks. Only then will she be promoted automatically in the batting line-up.
How do you look at her future? Can she go on to play for the country?
Definitely. If you talk to Kranti, just ask her—I have been telling her for the last two years that she will play for Team India.
She had to leave the net bowling sessions with MI because a family member passed away. After that, she was nervous and would ask me whether she would get another chance since she left the camp. But I always told her that she is not just a net bowler—she is here to play for Team India.
Although I advised her not to return, as all her family members were already there, she could not control herself and came back. She has that spark that a player needs to represent India, and I have always tried my best to support her in every way.
She is ready. Of course, some things a player learns with age—like playing on the big stage, performing under pressure, and handling expectations. But if you want to be there, your performances must be at that level.
Also Read: Will UPW opt for three proper spinners and Georgia Voll over Tahlia McGrath against GG?
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