Two more group matches remain in WPL 2025, with Mumbai Indians (MI) set to face the Gujarat Giants (GG) later today at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai. Both teams have already secured playoff spots, but a win here could help them finish at the top of the table.
MI holds a dominant record over GG, winning all five of their previous WPL encounters, including their reverse fixture this season. However, this match brings an exciting individual battle between MI’s Amanjot Kaur and GG’s Kashvee Gautam. Both players have been standout performers this season, and interestingly, they share a common mentor—coach Nagesh Gupta.
Coach Nagesh, with 22 years of coaching experience, runs an academy in Zirakpur, Punjab, and ahead of this crucial clash, RevSportz had an exclusive chat with him about his two students’ remarkable journeys. He spoke about their years of training, injury setbacks, comebacks, special preparations for the WPL, their bond with each other, and much more.
How happy and pleased have you been so far with the performances of both Amanjot and Kashvee in this WPL?
I am very pleased. In fact, I am overjoyed with their performances so far in the WPL, especially with Kashvee. Considering how last year went—when she was the most expensive player in the auction, then got injured—her comeback has been remarkable. To play in the WPL for the first time and perform almost like a champion, consistently bowling well in the last five matches, is truly heartening.
Amanjot is a complete package. If you look at her fielding, she is very fit and an excellent fielder. She can bat in any situation and bowl whenever needed. She is a very versatile cricketer, I would say. Mumbai Indians have also started utilising her better this season.
Both players have suffered serious injuries before coming into this WPL. You have been working closely with them. Can you share their recovery journey individually? It must have been a tough period for both of them!
For any athlete, dealing with an injury is very difficult. Initially, it was tough for both of them. But once they realised it would take a long time to recover, they focused on getting back to playing. It became more about fighting through the injury. I kept reminding them that crying would not help—they had to fight, stay strong, and come back even better. I encouraged them to learn new things, pick up life skills, and observe other players.
In fact, Aman mentioned in an interview that while she was at the NCA, she learned a lot from other players. These experiences taught them valuable life lessons. Setbacks make you humble, and I believe that is one of the most important life skills anyone can learn. No matter the situation, staying humble is key. Now, as they are doing well, they understand that the higher they go, the more humble they should remain. Their injury period was tough, but it helped them grow both as players and as individuals.
How did you guys manage to keep them motivated?
I used to meet them off the field more often during their injury recovery period than I ever did before. We stayed in touch through phone calls and messages, and I would send them inspiring comeback stories. I also encouraged them to read books. That is how we all came together to keep them motivated.
How did these two players come to your academy? How did you first hear about them?
Both of these girls were my first female students at the academy. At that time, I was coaching under the Chandigarh government. This was back in 2016. They were referred to me by some friends who had seen them playing in the streets. One of them told me, “They are very good players—you should take them under your guidance.”
However, I was a bit apprehensive at first, as I had only coached boys until then. I was not sure how to go about coaching girls. But when I saw them play, I realised both had natural talent. They bowled at a good pace, and their batting skills developed later. That is how the journey started in 2016.
In this WPL, what was your reaction when Amanjot pulled off that miracle chase against RCB?
It was an amazing chase. In that situation, after Harmanpreet got out, she took it upon herself to finish the game. It was truly incredible. She showed the kind of maturity she needs to display consistently now.
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This is her season, and she has also played for India during this period. So, she has to keep proving her maturity time and again—for Mumbai Indians and eventually for India as well.
How do you see the consistency that Kashvee is showing this season?
Consistency is very important, and I believe she has achieved it by bowling in good areas and getting back to swinging the ball. I spoke to her and told her that the way she swings the ball is unique—I have not seen any other bowler in the WPL swinging it like she does.
So, she should trust her strength and focus on swinging the ball while maintaining good line and length. Another key factor is that she is an excellent death bowler. She can bowl yorkers, slower balls, and cross-seam deliveries effectively. She has been executing simple things really well, and that has been the key to her consistency and strong performances.
Do you also believe that in Kashvee’s case, GG skipper Ashley Gardner started using her more effectively as the tournament progressed compared to the first couple of matches?
Yes. If you look at the first match against RCB, she was given the very first over, and it turned out to be a bit expensive. But from the next match onwards, Gardner started using her in the third or fourth over instead. This allowed her to settle her nerves before coming on to bowl, and she performed much better. So, yes, Ashley Gardner has managed her very well as the tournament has progressed.
Kashvee also has power-hitting skills. Regarding both her power hitting and death-over bowling, was there any special preparation under you before this WPL?
We did a lot of drills at the academy. We focused on yorkers, and I also took her to bowl on flat wickets where batters could easily attack her. This helped her understand her variations—when to use them and when not to.
For her power-hitting drills, we used heavy balls, tennis balls, and leather balls. We practiced a variety of drills to enhance her skills in that area as well.
They both look super fit when it comes to batting, bowling, and fielding. How did you emphasise their fitness?
They have always been extremely fit athletes. Whenever fitness tests were conducted in camps, they were consistently among the top two or three.
Even though they went through injuries, their fitness never really faded. It was always there—it was just a matter of recovering and getting back to full fitness. Now, they are back at their best.
On March 10, MI and GG will face each other again—Amanjot vs. Kashvee. In the reverse fixture, Kashvee put in a strong individual performance, but Mumbai won. How excited are you to see them go up against each other in this second game?
I am very excited to see them play against each other. The way they have been performing so far, I hope they continue in the same manner in this match as well and give their best to help their respective teams win.
Can you share more insights about the bond between Amanjot and Kashvee? Is there any mini friendly battle between them at the academy?
Yes, there are often these kinds of battles where Aman bowls to Kashvee, and Kashvee bowls to Aman. They are very competitive and do not want to lose to each other. They even set targets for themselves—like scoring 15 runs in an over, then reducing it to 12 in the next. It is really enjoyable to watch.
Their journey started together, and over time, they have not only been friends but also guides for each other. Especially Aman, who is now a very senior player—she helps Kashvee understand what is required at the highest level. Their bond is very special.
Do you expect both Kashvee and Amanjot to get a call-up to the senior team in the upcoming series? India needs players like them to maintain balance going forward.
My expectation has always been for them to perform well in tournaments—whether in domestic competitions or, now, the WPL. The call-up will eventually come; I have no doubt about that. Until then, it is important to let them grow, learn, and continue becoming better players. As of now, they will go to the playoffs, and I pray for a match-up again between Aman and Kashvee.
Also Read: “My biggest inspirations are Yuvraj Singh and Smriti Mandhana”: DC’s Shree Charani ahead of GG clash
The post “They do not want to lose to each other” – Coach Nagesh Gupta on MI’s Amanjot and GG’s Kashvee appeared first on Sports News Portal | Latest Sports Articles | Revsports.
