Pooja Vastrakar has quickly become a standout performer in Indian women’s cricket, earning a reputation for her fiery pace and ability to deliver sharp bouncers with ease. In a team traditionally known for its spin attack, Vastrakar’s raw speed and aggressive bowling style bring a fresh, exciting dimension.
Her knack for unsettling batters with brute deliveries is something Indian cricket has been missing for quite some time, and it has earned her a well-deserved spot in the spotlight.
Pooja Vastrakar made her T20 debut back in 2018, and for most of the time until 2022, she was primarily used as a bowler for the middle overs when the field was spread out and later in the death overs. Her pace and hostile bouncer made her a key asset during those middle overs, helping India maintain pressure on its opponents.
However, since 2022, things have changed. Pooja was given the opportunity to showcase her abilities with the new ball, and she quickly adapted, learning the nuances of bowling at the start of the innings and making an impact with her pace right from the beginning.
Pooja Vastrakar’s influence isn’t limited to the powerplay.
With Renuka Singh frequently sidelined due to injuries and workload management, Vastrakar has risen as India’s key pace bowler. Her dedication to improving fitness and strength has paid off, as she has managed to increase her pace, and she isn’t afraid to use bouncers regularly.
What’s equally impressive is that Vastrakar has played in 19 out of India’s 20 T20Is since last year’s
World Cup—a feat only Deepti Sharma has bettered by featuring in all. Vastrakar has delivered
consistently, picking up 23 wickets with an economy rate of 6.61—the most for India.
Achieving this in spin-friendly Asian conditions underlines that India is no longer solely reliant on their spinners for breakthroughs.
Pooja Vastrakar first grabbed the spotlight when she played a crucial role in restricting South Africa to
just 84 runs in a T20I at Chennai, a venue traditionally known to favor spin bowling. Yet, Pooja stood
out with her raw pace, finishing with career-best figures of 4/13.
This performance sent a strong message—that she was not only here to stay but to evolve with each match. Her ability to thrive on spin-friendly pitches, where fast bowlers often struggle, highlighted her adaptability and growing confidence.
Beyond just that game, what truly sets the right-arm medium fast apart is her relentless hunger to improve. Add to that her fierce determination, and her unwavering focus on maintaining pace—even in typically slow Asian conditions.
These qualities have given the Indian team a pace-bowling asset they’ve been missing since the legendary Jhulan Goswami’s retirement, offering versatility and balance to the bowling attack.
With rapid strides in both fitness and technique, has become a vital cog in India’s plans, and the team management now has a potent weapon in their arsenal as they look ahead to the upcoming T20 World Cup.
The Indian team has had its share of bowlers who’ve excelled in the swing department in the past, but having someone who can consistently trouble batters with pace and bounce adds a whole new dimension to the attack.
Pooja Vastrakar does that.
Moreover, one reckons, Pooja Vastrakar has now reached that stage, where she can forge a new chapter for India women’s national side, in both formats of the game.
With redoubtable talents like Renuka Thakur by her side, all that Vastrakar, one supposes, has to do is to align pace with aggression, which make no mistake isn’t temper. Then, the world could well be dancing to the movements of the white ball held by one of India’s current finest.
