It might require a special effort from a cricketer to become the captain’s go-to player, but in the case of Bengal and Mumbai Indians’ spinner Saika Ishaque, it's all about giving her best "one ball at a time". (More Cricket News)
⛄Ishaque could not have started the Women's Premier League (WPL) any better. With six wickets in the first two matches for the table-toppers Mumbai Indians, she has not only taken most wickets so far in the tournament but has also played a defining role in the two outings, against Gujarat Giants and Royal Challengers Bangalore.
ꦛThe 27-year-old left-arm spinner sparked a collapse in the RCB ranks at the Brabourne Stadium by dismissing England’s Sophie Devine and Disha Kasat in three deliveries to return with figures of 4-0-26-2, playing a key role in their 9-wicket win.
ꦛThis came after her incredible spell in the tournament opener against Gujarat Giants, recording impressive figures of 3.1-1-11-4 and propelling Mumbai Indians to a massive 143-run win.
🐻But here mantra for success has been simple, to give her best ‘one ball at a time’.
ಞ“I have not prepared any differently for the Women’s Premier League. I have concentrated on bowling one delivery at a time and that is what I want to keep my focus at,” Ishaque told PTI in an exclusive interview.
💦Ishaque said whenever Mumbai Indians needed a wicket, captain Harmanpreet Kaur has asked her to bowl.
🌼“Harry di (Harmanpreet) is pleased to see me bowl well. She has supported me a lot. Whenever she feels the team needs a wicket, she has given me the ball,” she said.
♒“The journey has been very good so far, people here in MI camp have been very supportive. A lot of good has happened because of them,” Ishaque added.
💮Among the things players wish is to start any tournament with strong performances, and Ishaque has certainly done that. But there was a time when a shoulder injury kept her away from the game for about two years, a period in which she felt she had lost everything.
♌“People talk about you only when you are performing well, but no one remembers you when you are not doing well. Returning from the long layoff, I had only one thing in mind that ‘I do not have anything else to lose’. Whatever is there in future, I will have to get it for myself. This was the only thing in mind,” she said.
🎃“I have played cricket at various levels. I have played at the U-19, U-23 and even at the senior level. I have also played zonal cricket, Challengers Trophy and even for India A. But then the injury struck me and I could not play for two years. However, once I returned after recovering from the injury, I played whatever I could.”
🍸Ishaque admitted that she had a point to prove after a long lay-off.
▨“It was very important for me (to perform well) since I was making a comeback after two years. I had a point to prove. I played in the Challengers Trophy and in the Women’s T20 Challenger (2022).
𝓀"The injury alone did not keep me out of action. I just could not bowl well enough.”
෴Ishaque said India’s legendary bowler Jhulan Goswami has been a pillar of strength in her journey.
🥃“Whoever I am today, a lot of credit for it goes to Jhulan Goswami. Whenever I faced any trouble I have reached out to her. She has always supported me.
🌌“Jhulu di has always inspired me, I always get a different positive vibe from her. I have always wanted to play like her and have followed her journey ever since I began playing cricket,” she said.
👍Ishaque, who was also a member of the Trailblazers’ squad in Women’s T20 Challenger 2022 until WPL came along, was introduced to cricket by her father.
ꦉ“I had no such plans or thoughts to become a cricketer, it was my father who got me into this game and now I am a cricket player. My father inspired me to become a cricketer,” she said.
