Leaving tragedies behind her, Veda Krishnamurthy is desperate for a revived cricket career through WPL
The leaner and much fitter Veda was now hoping to secure a WPL contract on Saturday, an opportunity that could open the national team door for her.
New Delhi, December 8: Tragedy and criticism are nothing new for Veda Krishnamurthy as she has seen it all in the last three years, but the fallen from grace Indian cricketer is desperate for a fresh start and has pinned her hopes on the upcoming WPL to regain her spot to win. in the national women’s side.
The leaner and much fitter Veda was now hoping to secure a WPL contract on Saturday, an opportunity that could open the national team door for her.
“I feel like the ability and experience I have won’t take much time to get into a system and re-adapt. It’s about going there and showing what I can do,” Veda told PTI in an exclusive interview.
“Definitely, it (WPL) is a great platform for players, especially those who are in the same boat as me. I haven’t played international cricket in the last three years, so this is a platform where you want to do well, and if you can go and perform in situations and platforms like this, it opens the door for the Indian team as well.
“We have seen that happen in men’s cricket. So that’s something I’ll keep in mind.”
Veda, who has played 48 ODIs and scored 829 runs with a best score of 71, was an integral part of the Indian team that finished runners-up in the 2017 Women’s ODI World Cup final, losing to hosts England by just nine runs at Lord’s .
Veda was also part of the Indian squad for the 2018 and 2020 ICC Women’s World Twenty20 tournaments in the West Indies and Australia respectively.
But two personal tragedies halted her career in 2021 when she lost her mother and older sister to COVID in the span of two weeks, and it took her a lot of time and effort to emerge from that.
“Very difficult, to be honest, because when you’re shaken, you suddenly don’t know what to do anymore. I faced a lot of mental health issues because I didn’t know how to live with the grief. There was a lot of anxiety, there was a lot of depression. I didn’t sleep well. You want to get out, but it’s not that easy. I was awake until 5-6 in the morning, I was afraid to close my eyes,” she said.
“It took me almost a year and a half to get back to normal without medication. It still comes back a little bit and haunts you, but you have to keep that side and focus of the physical aspect. It feels good to be back in form,” added the right-handed batsman, who played in 76 T20s for India and scored 875 runs.
Once she managed to defeat her inner demons, Veda focused on reviving her career to be in shape for the WPL auction scheduled for Saturday and all she wants is a chance to boost her mettle to show.
“I have put a lot of hours into my practice. I have become a lot fitter and slimmer in the past four months. I hit the ball very well. So let’s hope what happens on December 9th.
“Not really (about which team she would prefer). I wish they would all put the pedal to the metal for me, but at the end of the day, whoever it is, it’s all about opportunities and I will be very grateful, whichever team shows their faith in me and chooses me in the auction” , said Veda. , which has kept its base price at Rs 30 lakh.
“I think I’m ready now. For me right now it’s more about opportunities. I’m waiting for an opportunity so I can show my skills again.
“I don’t have any expectations because the last time I had expectations they didn’t come true. But I’m a little worried, to be honest.”