\u201cI think this has been a very good year for India. We won the U-19 World Cup for the first time. We also won the India A series in Australia, and then they also won a bilateral game here against them after 25 (18 years, in New Chandigarh in September).\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cWe got a lot of motivation from there. After that, winning the World Cup is a big thing for women's cricket. I think women's cricket will go to the next level from here. It was very important to win the World Cup,\u201d said Tanuja in an exclusive conversation with IANS, on the sidelines of an event by OneDice on Thursday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Tanuja has managed to play two ODIs and four T20Is for India after putting in impactful and economical performances for the Gujarat Giants (GG) in the Women\u2019s Premier League (WPL). \u201cI think WPL has been very good for domestic girls. Before that, we used to get to play for India directly after domestic cricket. So, we couldn't match that level after suddenly going in there.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cBut since WPL came, we started playing with overseas players and are able to match that level in WPL. That's why players don't get nervous when playing for India. They can play comfortably, and I think WPL has played a big role here,\u201d she said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
In Brisbane this year, striking a composed half\u2011century off 57 balls to guide India A to a series win in the 50-over series over Australia A. Walking in with the side in trouble at 157\/6 after Minnu Mani\u2019s dismissal, Tanuja steadied the innings with a knock that included three boundaries.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
She stitched a vital 62\u2011run eighth\u2011wicket stand with Prema Rawat, who hit an enterprising 32 not out and ensured India A crossed the line to seal the series. \u201cWe were discussing at that time how deep we can take the game. We were discussing whether 5 runs are enough for now in an over.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cWe didn't take much risk at that time. We made 5-6 runs in every over in the 6-7 overs phase. But after that, when Prema and I decided to accelerate, it wasn't just me who accelerated. We were playing from both sides in the same way, and I think that was the biggest thing,\u201d said Tanuja.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Asked about her bowling mantra, Tanuja said, \u201cI try to bowl wicket-to-wicket as much as I can because if you bowl wicket-to-wicket, the chances of scoring a run for the batter are very low and the likelihood of picking a wicket are very high. So I try to bowl wicket-to-wicket as much as I can.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cIf one doesn't get a run from my side, the batter is under pressure. If I don't get a run or a wicket from my side, I think a wicket will come from the other side. It creates pressure on the batter, and I then think anyone, including me, could get a wicket from the other side.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Asked about her bowling mantra, Tanuja said, \u201cI try to bowl wicket-to-wicket as much as I can because if you bowl wicket-to-wicket, the chances of scoring a run for the batter are very low and the likelihood of picking a wicket are very high. So I try to bowl wicket-to-wicket as much as I can.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Tanuja signed off by crediting support from her father to play cricket professionally. \u201cI think the support of the family is the most important. My father loved cricket since childhood. He used to play cricket with us. We used to play together in school or with my siblings at home. One day, he saw my huge interest in cricket and then got to know about the HPCA cricket academy in Dharamshala, and he put me in it.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n