For Mumbai, 12th November 2024 marked a special date in their cricket history. Mumbai became only the second team after Railways to win back-to-back Senior Women’s T20 Trophy titles.
Vrushali Bhagat, who is still trying to find her feet among the big girls, played a significant role. Vrushali’s unbeaten 45 off 39 balls helped Mumbai .
She smacked Titas Sadhu for a four, after which she took a single through mid-wicket to erupt in joy and ecstasy. Although she did not play all the games, Vrushali was effective after scoring 122 runs from seven innings at an average of 24.40, striking at 105.17. The 26-year-old saved her best for the grand finale, just when her team needed her the most.
After tasting success in the T20 format, Vrushali has plenty to look forward to with the Women’s Premier League and the ODI World Cup next year knocking on the doors. India Today caught up with Vrushali for an exclusive chat where she spoke about her ambitions, her fandom for Rohit Sharma, her admiration for Jemimah Rodrigues and various other topics.
Here are the excerpts from Vrushali Bhagat’s interview
Q. Talk us through your cricketing background and what motivated you to take up the sport.
A. My sister used to play earlier and I used to be aware of where she was going. Seeing her, I also wished to go with her. But back in 2009-10, women’s cricket was not so popular. She joined the nets from where she got to know about camps. I started playing two years after she started. Due to financial difficulties, my sister had to give up. But I always wanted to continue.
Vrushali Bhagat scored an unbeaten 45 in the final. Courtesy: Vrushali Bhagat InstagramQ. Tell us about the final against Bengal that Mumbai won so comprehensively.
A. We won a lot of one-sided matches against Railways, Bengal and other teams. So, our preparations were up to the mark. For the last six months we were preparing to face any team and had our plans ready, but we had to execute them.
Q. How did Humaira Kaazi help you and the other players with her experience of playing for the Mumbai Indians?
A. She made very effective plans and she used her experience, both on and off the field. Sayali (Satgare) and Saima (Thakor) played in the WPL and represented India. We always benefited from what they used to talk about.
Q. Tell us about the role that Jemimah Rodrigues plays in the Mumbai camp.
A. We have been playing for the last 8-9 years and so, we share a good bonding. She talks to us whenever our players are low on confidence. Whenever she is with the team, she helps us a lot. We used to sit with her and make plans.
Vrushali Bhagat said that she is inspired by Rohit Sharma. Courtesy: Vrushali BhagatQ. Tell us about your cricketing idol and inspiration
A. Rohit Sharma (is my idol) in men’s cricket. He is mentally very tough. Whenever he comes to the MCA, we talk to him when we get a chance. He always advises us to back our strengths. What he says always stays with us, and we try to back our strengths regardless of the failures we face. If we do that, results will keep coming.
Q. Any particular team you would want to represent in the WPL?
A. I do not have a specific team as I like all of them. I will try and perform for whichever team I get picked for. There are many experienced players there, and I will get to learn a lot from them if they select me.
Q. How confident are you to break into the Indian women’s team with the World Cup to be held next year?
A. My focus will be on practising and performing in the domestic matches, as players get picked from there as well. I will try and perform to the best of my ability in the domestic One-Day competition.
