MP's Kranti, Shuchi earn India call-up for Eng tour

Indore: Madhya Pradesh's rising cricket stars Kranti Goud and Shuchi Upadhyay have been named in the Indian women's squad for the upcoming T20 and ODI series against England, scheduled from June 28 to July 22. The selection marks Shuchi's second national call-up and a continued run for Kranti, who recently made her international debut.

Kranti Goud, 22, hails from Ghaurha village in Chhatarpur district. A promising pacer, she was a net bowler during the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2024 and is among the key picks for WPL 2025. Known for her consistent performances across various age categories for the Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association (MPCA), Kranti made her international debut against Sri Lanka earlier this month, stepping in for the injured Kashvee Gautam.

Speaking to TOI, Kranti expressed her excitement about the England tour. "It was a proud moment to represent India against Sri Lanka. Being selected again for the England tour is an honour. I'm focused on giving my best and making the most of the opportunity. The support from my teammates, coaches, and the MPCA has been incredible," she said.

Kranti's cricket journey began in 2016 when she started playing with boys in her village. Initially helping them retrieve balls, she was soon invited to join their team in tennis ball matches. Her breakthrough came when she filled in for an injured player in a leather ball game, which led to her selection for district trials and eventually the state team.

Joining her in the Indian squad is 19-year-old Shuchi Upadhyay from Mandla, who has received her second national call-up after being part of the squad for the Sri Lanka series. Although she didn't get a chance to debut, Shuchi is determined to make her mark in the England tour.

"It was a great experience being with the Indian team for the first time. I learnt a lot from the seniors. My aim now is to stay consistent and confident for the England tour," said Shuchi.

Shuchi's journey started on the dusty pitches of Ramleela Maidan in Navghat, Mandla, where she played gully cricket with boys due to the absence of facilities for girls. She later received formal training at Mekal Cricket Academy and soon emerged as a standout spinner, even participating in men's tournaments.

The MPCA shared the news of their selection on its official social media platforms, congratulating both players. MPCA Joint Secretary Siddyani Patni told TOI, "This achievement is a reflection of the hard work and top-tier training sessions we've been conducting for both women's and men's teams together. MP's women cricketers have been among the best in the country for the past three years, and national selectors have begun to take notice. With continued performance, these girls have the potential to achieve great heights."