As I sat down to chat with Sneh Rana, I could feel the humility and determination in her voice as she reflected on her remarkable journey from Dehradun to the world stage. “My sister and mother were instrumental in my early days,” she shared, a sense of gratitude clear in her expression. “They enrolled me in a cricket academy, and that was the first pivotal moment in my career. Wearing the national jersey in 2014 was life-changing—it filled me with pride and gave me the motivation to keep pushing forward.”
I asked her about her five-year hiatus, and how she found the strength to make such an impactful comeback. “That break was tough, no doubt, but it made me stronger,” she said, with a firmness in her voice. “When you’ve tasted what it’s like to wear the tricolor on your helmet, that’s all the motivation you need. Despite the injury and the long break, my love for the game kept me going. My friends and family were my pillars of support, constantly reminding me of my capabilities. And honestly, there was no other option but to work hard and perform in domestic cricket until I got back on the national stage.”
We moved on to her role as an all-rounder and how she balances the demands of both batting and bowling. “It’s not easy,” she said with a laugh, “but I’ve learned to structure my training to focus on each area. Some days are dedicated solely to bowling, others to batting, and there are days when I combine both. It requires a lot of planning, but fielding is where I feel at home. I love being active on the field, always on my toes.”
Talking about women’s cricket in India, Sneh’s optimism was palpable. “The future is incredibly bright for women’s cricket,” she said with a smile. “The talent we’re seeing now is amazing, and it’s a reflection of how much effort is being put into the grassroots level. But more than anything, I’d love to see society shift its mindset and encourage more girls to take up cricket as a profession, not just a hobby.”
As someone who inspires many young girls, I asked her what advice she’d offer aspiring cricketers. “It’s simple—there are no shortcuts to success,” she said, her voice full of conviction. “Work hard, train purposefully, and learn something new every day. There will be tough days, but your passion will push you through. One of my favorite quotes that keeps me going is ‘Sach hum nahi, sach tum nahi, sach hai sangharsh hi.’ It’s the struggle that defines you.”
Off the field, Sneh stays grounded and true to her roots. “Staying humble comes naturally to me,” she said thoughtfully. “My parents always taught me to keep my feet on the ground, no matter what heights I reach in my career.” Sneh enjoys traveling, trekking, and indulging in her love for music when she’s not playing cricket. “Music and dancing are my ways of relaxing. I’ve also dabbled in painting, and sometimes I just love a good Netflix binge—it’s all about balance.”
As our conversation wrapped up, it was clear that Sneh Rana’s journey is one of resilience, hard work, and passion. Her story is an inspiration, not only to aspiring cricketers but to anyone facing challenges on the road to success.
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