UAE’s Siya Gokhale Gains ValuEarlier this year, in May, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) women’s cricket team narrowly missed qualifying for the Women’s T20 World Cup, losing by 15 runs to Sri Lanka in the semi-finals. When the tournament was hosted in Dubai and Sharjah, the players saw an opportunity to learn as net bowlers for the Indian team, with pacer Siya Gokhale among them.
Embracing the Chance
Initially excited about the World Cup being hosted in their home country, Gokhale shared, “We thought, do we get to play? Then we found out that Bangladesh is the host.” Despite disappointment, Gokhale focused on learning from the Indian players.
Learning from the Best
Gokhale, alongside teammates Esha Oza, Archana Supriya, and Kavisha Egodage, supported the Indian squad in the nets. Having faced top players like Harmanpreet Kaur before, Gokhale was eager to challenge herself. “I wanted to bowl to Harmanpreet. If you bowl the right ball to Richa Ghosh, and she’s not hitting you, that means you’ve done a good job,” she remarked.
The experience provided a unique learning environment, especially with familiar faces among the support staff. “They have been very approachable. When you hear them speaking Marathi, it creates a sense of familiarity,” Gokhale noted.
Perspectives from the Domain
For Gokhale, bowling with Kaur was an unforgettable experience. She added, “Harman wanted me to bowl in specific areas and set up the field for me,” highlighting how this helped her get better.
Gokhale also gained confidence while bowling to aggressive batters like Jemimah Rodrigues, who acknowledged her skills.
Goals for the Future
With the 2026 T20 World Cup drawing near, Gokhale wants to go from being a net bowler to a vital player of the team. Her growth as a cricket player would be greatly aided by the knowledge and experience she has received from being around the Indian team. Gokhale is more driven than ever to display her talent on the international scene as she sets her sights on competing internationally.able Experience as Net Bowler for Indian Team