Thailand's Natthakan Chantham Embraces Suryakumar Yadav's 'Supla Shot' Ahead of Asian Games

Thailand's Natthakan Chantham is on a quest to master the 'Supla shot' popularized by Indian cricketer Suryakumar Yadav. As she prepares for the 2026 Asian Games, Chantham reflects on her cricketing journey, the influence of her coach, and her admiration for top players like Suryakumar and Shubman Gill. With limited exposure to cricket in Thailand, she aims to inspire the next generation of cricketers by showcasing their potential on an international stage. Discover her insights and aspirations as she gears up for this significant tournament.

By Narendra Chaudhary Sep 17, 2026, 00:08 IST

Natthakan Chantham's Cricket Journey

In a recent interview, Thailand's cricketer Natthakan Chantham shared her attempts to incorporate the unique 'Supla shot' made famous by Indian T20 star Suryakumar Yadav into her batting technique. However, she humorously noted that her efforts have not gone as smoothly as planned, as reported by a leading sports outlet.

The 'Supla shot' is an unconventional stroke where the batter ramps or scoops the ball over the wicketkeeper or fine-leg fielder using their wrists, sending it behind them.

As she prepares for the 2026 Asian Games, Chantham expressed her admiration for Suryakumar, stating, "I have tried, but it hit me everywhere! I would love to play it, but first I have to stick to my strengths."

Despite the challenges, Chantham holds Suryakumar in high regard, following his performances closely through social media and online highlights. She appreciates his confidence and unique batting style, saying, "He just times the ball. He does not care about having good technique, or looking beautiful. He just times the ball well, and it becomes beautiful like he is."

Additionally, she admires Shubman Gill, India's Test and ODI captain, for his effortless batting and timing. Chantham expressed a desire to learn about Gill's mindset while batting rather than focusing solely on technical aspects.

She credits Indian coach Harshal Pathak for significantly influencing her batting style, helping her adopt a more aggressive approach and understand how to construct an innings effectively.

Chantham's journey into cricket began unexpectedly at the age of eight when she had to switch from a full movie club to an empty cricket club. Despite limited exposure to the sport in Thailand, she sees the upcoming Asian Games as a pivotal moment to showcase Thai talent on an international stage.

She hopes to inspire future generations by demonstrating that Thai cricketers can compete with the best teams globally. Chantham remarked on the unfamiliarity of cricket in Thailand, saying, "When I tell them SEA Games, Asian Games, they definitely know. They know that’s quite big for you and quite popular in Thailand."

With the Asian Games approaching, Chantham emphasizes the importance of giving their all, stating, "We have no excuse to say, 'We can go easy,' or 'Next opportunity, next chance.' We have no next chance. We have to go 100 percent and no excuses."