She is simply 15, but already taller than most her age. Her ambitions with a cricket ball, although, are means larger.
That quest for excellence introduced Rhea Nadkarni all the best way from america to India for the inaugural Girls’s Premier League Velocity Queen contest. And it hasn’t taken lengthy for the younger pacer to make an impression, having already caught the attention of scouts.
At 15, Rhea is already studying to stay with nerves—and typically bowl via them.
“It was very nerve-wracking,” she informed Sportstar, recalling her expertise on the trials held on the Air India floor in Kalina on Republic Day. “They defined what we had been going to do, we warmed up collectively, after which abruptly you might be referred to as in to bowl. I feel I used to be fifth or sixth.”
What adopted was a second that might quietly reshape her cricketing journey. Her first supply clocked simply 52 miles per hour (~84kmph), as she slipped mid-action. However one of many selectors seen one thing past the pace gun. “She mentioned, ‘This woman has a pleasant motion. Though she is bowling somewhat sluggish, let’s look into it’,” Rhea recalled.
Moved to a different web, Rhea, 5’9” tall, abruptly discovered rhythm. “The primary ball there was 63 miles… then 64. Then they mentioned, ‘Bowl another; let’s get to 65.’ Once I lastly hit 65 (~105 kmph), they acquired excited,” she mentioned, smiling. Quickly after, she was requested to remain again for an interview. Hours later, the call-up for the all-India finals, to be held in Mumbai on February 2, adopted.
The hustle begins at dwelling
For Rhea, who grew up enjoying cricket in Houston, Texas, the second carried further weight. “Within the US, there may be not a lot competitors for women,” she mentioned. “Seeing how large cricket is in India and what number of women had been there, it not solely gave me loads of confidence but in addition confirmed me how a lot tougher I have to work.”
That grounding affect begins at dwelling together with her father, Sushil, a former India U-19 and Maharashtra opener, ex-USA worldwide, and now her coach. “I in all probability did equal batting and bowling after I began,” Rhea mentioned. “He’s a batting coach, in order that’s pure.”
Rhea together with her father, Sushil Nadkarni.
| Picture Credit score:
EMMANUAL YOGINI
Rhea together with her father, Sushil Nadkarni.
| Picture Credit score:
EMMANUAL YOGINI
However bowling clicked sooner for her.
In a rustic the place cricket is usually mistaken for “off-brand baseball,” she has needed to clarify her sport extra typically than play it. “Most individuals don’t actually learn about cricket. Youthful folks particularly. I’ve to clarify that it’s a highly regarded sport worldwide.”
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But the ecosystem round her is rising quickly. “The ladies’s recreation within the US is the fastest-growing when it comes to participation,” Sushil mentioned. “Our senior ladies not too long ago made the Tremendous Sixes within the World Cup qualifiers. The boys are enjoying the T20 World Cup. Infrastructure is rising, stadiums are developing, and with cricket within the LA 2028 Olympics, funding will solely enhance.”
Powerful as nails
Rhea trains virtually year-round. Primarily based in Texas, the place climate permits steady play, she trains 5 days per week and performs two to 3 matches each weekend. “Her complete calendar is laid out at first of the 12 months—tournaments, USA pathway occasions, all the pieces,” Sushil defined.
Regardless of that construction, Rhea stays pragmatic concerning the future. “I’ve determined that is what I wish to do,” she mentioned. “However I don’t assume cricket within the US is financially dependable but. I wish to play critically for the following few years and now have a job on the facet.”
That maturity, at 15, maybe displays the realities she has grown up with. Requested how ending because the quickest Beneath-19 bowler on the trials made her really feel, Rhea mentioned: “It gave me loads of confidence. To know I might do this in opposition to so many women from India—it tells me I’m heading in the right direction.”
For now, the main target is on February 2, when Rhea returns to the Metropolis of Goals for the finals. No matter follows, the lesson from Kalina has already sunk in: expertise opens doorways, however perception—constructed ball by ball—retains them open.
Revealed on Jan 30, 2026