All you need to know about Kranti Goud, the Madhya Pradesh Express, who took 3-20 vs Pakistan in the ongoing World Cup.
Kranti Goud’s rise has become the talk of Indian cricket after her dream spell of 3 for 20 powered India to a resounding victory over Pakistan in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025.
In the much-anticipated group-stage clash at Colombo’s R Premadasa Stadium, Kranti Goud stole the show with a brilliant spell of 3 for 20 from 10 overs, including three maidens. Her controlled aggression and mastery of swing and seam dismantled Pakistan’s top order, removing key batters Sadaf Shamas and Aliya Riaz. Goud’s early strikes reduced Pakistan to 26 for 3 inside the powerplay, and despite some resistance from Sidra Amin, they folded for 159 in pursuit of India’s 247. The 88-run win sealed India Women’s dominance and earned Goud the Player of the Match award
Her ability to move the ball both ways kept the Pakistan openers on tenterhooks, and she played a crucial role in reducing them to 26 for 3 within the opening powerplay. This control was instrumental in keeping the pressure on, as only Sidra Amin offered real resistance.
What did Kranti say after the match?
After her match-winning spell, Kranti brushed off talk of rivalry: “I do not really know much about that because this was my first match, and honestly, I do not pay attention to all that India-Pakistan talk. There is nothing like that for me. I just focus on my job, my duty is to ball, and that is what I do,” she told the media.
She described being named Player of the Match as “a very proud moment for me and my family,” noting it was special to be recognized in Colombo, the same venue where she made her Indian debut earlier that year.
“The ball was swinging both ways. When I came for my second spell, the captain asked if I wanted to remove the slip, but I insisted, just let me ball with the slip. I felt a wicket was coming. And I got it. I had belief in myself,” she said.
Read More: Women’s World Cup 2025, IND vs PAK: Despite indifferent batting, India win courtesy Kranti’s 3-20
From barefoot beginnings
Raised as the youngest of six siblings in Ghuwara, a small tribal village in Bundelkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Kranti grew up in severe hardship after her father, a policeman, lost his job. Her family frequently struggled to make ends meet, but her mother’s determination and sacrifice, selling her jewellery to fund Kranti’s cricket, kept her dream alive.
She first played cricket barefoot, without a kit or shoes, impressing local coaches with her raw pace and determination. When coach Rajiv Bilthare spotted her talent during a village match, he arranged for her first cricket spikes and training at the Sai Academy, making sure lack of resources would never be a barrier again. This support changed her life, helping her become a lightning bolt in the Indian domestic circuit.
Rise in the WPL (Women’s Premier League)
Kranti’s break came when the UP Warriorz picked her up in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025 auction for Rs 10 lakh. In her breakthrough performance, she grabbed 4 wickets for 25 runs against Delhi Capitals, sending back names like Meg Lanning, Shafali Verma, Jess Jonassen, and Jemimah Rodrigues. It was a sensational bow for a newcomer, building on similar dominating spells in the domestic Senior Women’s One Day Trophy.
She ended her debut WPL season with 15 wickets, announcing herself as a fast-bowling force with serious pace and a knack for dismantling top-order batters.
Bowling specialties and future prospects
Kranti’s greatest strength lies in her classical outswingers, which she delivers consistently above 120 km/h, alongside a sharp inswinger that often undoes set batters. She excels with a new ball, troubling even the best with late movement and attacking lines, and is developing a lethal yorker for the death overs. Her coach and national bowling consultants praise her control, natural athleticism, and the confidence to back her instincts in crunch moments.
Looking ahead, Kranti Goud seems destined to spearhead India’s pace attack along with Renuka Thakur not just in this World Cup but for years to come. She has already expressed her ambition to increase her pace and learn from senior pros, as well as her desire to inspire other girls from rural backgrounds to dream big and aim high.
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