Kranti Goud, who was part of the 16-member World Cup-winning India team which defeated South Africa in the final to lift its maiden ICC title, revealed that she “didn’t even know” about the existence of an Indian women’s cricket team as she was growing up in Madhya Pradesh’s obscure Ghuwara village.
The 22-year-old, who contributed nine wickets at an average of 18.55 to India’s maiden title-clinching run, including a Player of the Match-winning three-wicket haul against Pakistan, spoke to PTI Videos about her nascent but remarkable career so far.
“I didn’t even know there was a women’s cricket team — that’s where my journey began,” Goud said just before meeting President Droupadi Murmu in New Delhi on Thursday.
The felicitation at the Rashtrapati Bhawan followed an evening meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday, marking an unprecedented high for the youngster, who made her debut for India only in May this year.
“I am feeling really proud as this was my first World Cup and we are world champions now. It is a matter of pride for me, my family and the entire nation,” she said.
READ ABOUT HER STORY | Tribal family to World Cup glory: Kranti Goud’s journey from a backup player in boys’ team to India pacer
“I am from a small village, so they didn’t allow girls to play and used to say that why are you allowing her to play with the boys? But I thought that one day, I will make them all clap for my performance.
“And now those who used to taunt me and my family are applauding us. Now the women’s team is also improving and after the World Cup win it will go very far,” she said.
On cricketing matters, Kranti said her approach to bowling is built on simplicity.
“I just try to implement what Sir (head coach Amol Muzumdar) asks me while bowling and not trying anything extra. Whatever my coach has told me, I just do that and not anything extra.
“There are different coaches in WPL, domestic and then international, but they say almost the same thing — to bowl at the stump line,” she said.
Published on Nov 06, 2025
