Shree Charani: The Rising Star of Indian Women's Cricket

Shree Charani, a talented left-arm spinner from Andhra Pradesh, is making her mark in Indian women's cricket. With impressive stats and a pivotal role in India's World Cup victory, she is set to shine in the upcoming WPL 2026. Charani shares her inspirations and reflects on her cricketing journey, emphasizing the importance of process over pressure as she prepares for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. Discover more about this rising star and her aspirations in the world of cricket.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jan 5, 2026, 02:07 IST

Introduction to Shree Charani

Shree Charani, a promising left-arm slow orthodox spinner, is making waves in Indian women's cricket. Born on August 4, 2004, in Kadapa, Andhra Pradesh, she is quickly becoming a notable figure in the sport.

Debut and Early Career

The 21-year-old cricketer made her One Day International (ODI) debut against Sri Lanka in Colombo in April 2025. She followed this with her first T20 International match against England Women in Nottingham in June 2025.

Performance Statistics

In her career thus far, Shree has participated in 18 ODIs, taking 23 wickets with an average of 36.65. In T20Is, she has claimed 15 wickets across 10 matches, boasting an impressive average of 19.26, which includes a standout performance with four wickets in a single game.

World Cup Breakthrough

Charani's significant breakthrough came during the 2025 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, where she played a crucial role in India’s historic championship win. She ended the tournament as the fourth-highest wicket-taker, securing 14 wickets in nine matches and receiving accolades for her exceptional performance.

WPL Auction and Team Dynamics

Following the World Cup triumph, Shree was acquired by the Delhi Capitals for Rs 1.3 crore during the Women’s Premier League (WPL) auction. She had previously debuted with the same franchise in the 2024-25 season, where she took four wickets in two matches at an average of 17.75.

Reflections on Her Journey

In a recent interview ahead of the WPL 2026 season, Charani shared insights about her cricketing journey, her inspirations, and the pressures of her new price tag. She reminisced about her childhood, saying, "I used to play with my friends, and my mama encouraged me to pursue cricket. That's how it all began."

Inspirations and Future Goals

Shree cited Indian cricket legends Yuvraj Singh and Smriti Mandhana as her role models, stating, "Initially, my inspiration was my mama, but now I look up to Yuvraj Singh and Smriti Mandhana as I’ve learned more about the game."

Looking Ahead

Expressing her excitement about returning to the Delhi Capitals for the upcoming WPL season, she said, "I feel grateful to be back with the team, as I know the coaches and some players, making it a comfortable environment for me." Charani emphasized that the financial aspect does not weigh on her mind and praised the WPL for transforming women's cricket.

Preparation for the ICC T20 World Cup

The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 is set to commence on June 12. Ahead of this prestigious tournament, Charani mentioned that the Indian women's team is concentrating on their process rather than fixating on the goal of winning consecutive ICC white-ball titles. "We are focusing on the process and will see what unfolds next," she concluded.