Despite achieving academic excellence with an impressive 93% score in her school exams and demonstrating proficiency in sprinting and swimming, Titas elected to pursue cricket as her foremost passion.
Titas Sadhu’s initiation into the world of cricket transpired during her childhood, as she aided her father in scorekeeping at their family-owned ancestral cricket club. On a casual day, her father nonchalantly asked her to bowl, and Titas promptly showcased her innate talent.
Since that moment, Titas has forged ahead without hesitation. Her exceptional bowling prowess has consistently captivated observers and earned widespread recognition. Moreover, she has established herself as a valuable asset with the bat.
Embarking on a reflective journey through the multifaceted landscape of her cricketing odyssey, Titas Sadhu delved into the significant influences that have shaped her career.
“I think the first time we consciously decided to pursue cricket was, I think, in 2020, when I was awaiting results for my 10th standard. That’s when I had a lot of time to think over it. So, in order to do that, I had to skip my 11th finals. I think that was the shift where we transitioned from primary education to focusing more on cricket.”
“I think there are always people behind a player or anyone who achieves anything special. That’s not only one person but like hundreds. Everyone who came into our lives has added something or the other. I think you always have that core group who supports you in different ways. You need every type of person in your life: someone who encourages you despite everything and also someone who will criticize you and get the best out of you. I think I was blessed with that amazing group of people around me,” she said when asked who is her motivation and who pushes her to do good every day.
In response to the question about her cricket idol, she said, “I think I watched a lot of Ben Stokes and Hardik Pandya. I guess we were the generation that grew up with the IPL. So that’s why I think we got a lot of exposure by watching and learning from these overseas players coming in.”
Tournament by tournament: Titas’ steady rise
Titas found herself outside the playing XI when India commenced their Asian Games campaign. Similarly, she wasn’t the initial choice at the outset of the ICC U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup in January. Despite this, she stole the spotlight in the final, showcasing her prowess by claiming two wickets for a mere six runs, earning her the coveted Player-of-the-Match award.
Remarkably, even a month prior in Mumbai, she was absent from the India U-19 team’s lineup for the first two matches against the New Zealand development side in a comprehensive five-match T20 series, which the hosts dominantly swept. Despite limited opportunities, she made a lasting impression by delivering an impactful performance of 3/35 across eight overs in the two games she played.
Tournament after tournament, spanning from Mumbai to the World Cup in South Africa and the Asian Games, Titas endured a journey of patience, waiting for her chance. Each time the opportunity presented itself, she seized it, propelling her on a remarkable ascent to the pinnacle of her sport.
“I always try to think of it not as a final, but just another match and another opponent which you have to win against. Obviously, the responsibilities are more, and there’s more to lose, but other than that, it’s still a game. It’s about getting your basics right. I feel you just need to keep your head calm, understand what you are doing, and know what you have to do in order to achieve what you want,” said Titas in response to how she prepares for big moments.
WPL Wisdom: Transformation through exposure to youth and experience
Being part of the maiden WPL with Delhi Capitals, a blend of youth and experience, she mentioned about her experience what were the key aspects she took away from participating in the league:
“I feel like before the start of WPL, I had changed a lot, not only as a cricketer but also as a person because it opens you to a lot of exposure. Especially when you are coming from the U-19 circuit, it was a shift for us,” she said.
“In U-19, we had played one type of cricket, and when we came into the WPL, we had to change ourselves in a particular manner because obviously, it had amazing talents in it. Especially with teams like Delhi Capitals, the talents we had in our squad were amazing and experienced people,” she added.
Reflecting on the transformative experience before the start of WPL, Titas Sadhu expressed how it profoundly impacted both her cricketing skills and personal growth.
She shared, “Meeting the side led by Meg Lanning, with players like Marianne Kapp, Alice Capsey, and even Shikha Pandey, it was filled, or rather, overflowing with talents and amazing experience. So, I guess we had the opportunity, especially as youngsters, to watch, learn, and share the dressing room.”
“It allowed us to understand how different strategies can be made, especially because they all come from different backgrounds and cultures. The way we see cricket and the way we perceive life are a little bit different. And I think this is what you learn,” she added.
Anticipating the upcoming season, Titas Sadhu shared her thoughts on the unique dynamics surrounding the auctions and the heightened expectations following the team’s success last year.
She remarked, “The one good thing is that I will not have to be stressed during the auctions this time, but I think the expectations are huge because the success we have seen last year can only grow from here, and I feel amazing talents will show up this year as well. We are in this sport, and we keep discussing it.”
“I am getting goosebumps right now as I speak because WPL was something we wanted for so long, and me saying I am the youngest player in the circuit. So, most of the seniors who had waited for this to happen for so long, and for all of them, this is a shift or an evolution which allows them to showcase a new brand of cricket.”
How 2021 defined both sport and fitness for this rising star
Opening up about her journey, she shared a profound reflection before delving into her experiences, stating, “I feel we often get lost in our successes. For me, the more pivotal year was 2021, not 2023. During 2021, I dedicated four intense months to rigorous training, aiming to excel not only in my sport but also in my fitness journey, and the fact that I have been able to sustain that effort is a significant achievement. That year marked a crucial shift in my mentality, where I grasped what exactly is needed to become the person I aspire to be.”
Facing the Test: A young player’s reflections on the unique challenges and strategies
Anticipating the upcoming challenge of being in the squad for the forthcoming two Test matches against formidable opponents, the 19-year-old finds herself reflecting on the roots of her cricketing journey. With the prospect of participating in these upcoming Test matches, a format often considered the pinnacle of cricket, she approaches this opportunity with a blend of eagerness and determination.
“I remember watching Test matches with my father on television, and both of us observing those pacers bowling. I remember we were watching the Ashes, and Pat Cummins was bowling a brilliant spell – that’s where you can see pacers and the true beauty and the essence,” she said.
“Obviously, the call-up was a very, very important moment for both of us. When we got to know about the selection because, somewhere or the other, you want to be there. You want to play the longest format of the game and feel the true essence of the sport. That’s where it started from,” she added.
When asked about the changes she plans to incorporate specifically for Test cricket, given its unique challenges and prolonged battles, she responded, “Some changes are always to be made because it’s a different brand of cricket and the strategies will be different. The bowling style will be different, but I feel that is the way you use that and the way you adjust and how quickly do you set yourself apart. I am hoping to adjust quickly because we are playing T20 first, followed by Tests and then ODIs.”
To shine on the grandest stages, where the stakes are high, and expectations reach their peak, demands exceptional character. In the realm of sports, some players consistently excel but falter when it matters most. Titas, on the contrary, has demonstrated a maturity well beyond her years.
For India, a team that grappled with overcoming the final hurdles in significant events, clinching two important titles in the same year marks a promising turn of events. The fact that this success aligns with the emergence of a young talent blessed with a remarkable ability to perform under pressure adds another layer of optimism.
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