I feel I'm almost becoming like KL Rahul: Divya Gnanananda [Exclusive Interview]

Like most of the cricketers in India, Divya Gnanananda got inspired to play cricket watching the great Sachin Tendulkar. Divya made her professional cricket debut at the age of 15. She played with Prasidh Krishna during her school days. She has been trained by Srinivasa Murthy and has played for Shantha Rangaswamy’s Falcon Sports Club. 

Divya has been one of the stalwarts for Karnataka in domestic cricket and has been a consistent run-scorer in each format. She was the seventh-highest run-scorer in the Senior Women’s One Day Trophy last year with 396 runs in 10 innings at an average of 49.50. She made a half-century in the final of the tournament against Railways, which Karnataka lost.

In the Senior Women’s T20 Trophy 2023, Divya scored 168 runs in eight outings at an average of 33.60 and was the second-leading run-scorer for Karnataka. Her consistent run in the domestic circuit helped her make her debut for India A against England A last year.

In an exclusive interview with CricTracker, Divya talks about her cricketing career, the importance of mental health, her fitness regime, and her goals. She has been playing professional cricket for more than a decade and shared advice for youngsters who are looking to make a career in this game.

Divya shared an interesting story related to her jersey number and the story behind the KL Rahul-style celebration after scoring a half-century in the final of the Senior Women’s One Day Trophy last year. She expressed her dream of lifting the World Cup trophy and playing in the WPL for the Royal Challengers Bangalore Women.

Excerpts:

Tell us about your early days in cricket. What inspired you to take up the sport?

Growing up, I lived in a street-like neighborhood where many boys played cricket, so I joined in and played with them. At the time, I didn't realise that my dad had been a cricketer himself. He started playing when he was young but had to quit due to financial problems. He was a left-arm orthodox bowler and an opening left-handed batter. Although I didn't take up the left hand, I became a right-handed player.

I feel it was in my genes because when people saw me play for the first time, they thought I was naturally talented. I never went to learn the basics or the typical orthodox style of defence. I had my own natural style of batting and I didn’t want to change it.

During my school days, all three of my cousins and I studied in the same class and even sat on the same bench for about eight years. That's when school cricket started for me. We received a memo about forming a women's cricket team for inter-school competitions. One of my cousins encouraged me to give it a try. I did, and I made it into the team the very next day. I'm so glad I did because that's when I met my first coach, Srinivasa Murthy sir.

So, he was my first coach. During the trials, there were about 60 girls, and he immediately noticed something interesting in me. He called me and said I didn't need to wait for the list to come out and asked me to join the boys' practice the next day. The under-14 and under-16 boys would be practising, and that's where I met Prasidh Krishna. I was part of the school cricket team for about three years, playing and practising with the boys. That's how my cricketing journey began, as I wasn't even aware that women's cricket existed. Soon after, my coach informed me about the under-19 trials, even though I didn't know where KSCA was.

When I started, I didn't even know where B grounds was. My coach told me to go there because that's where all the girls were playing. He never mentioned it was state trials; he just encouraged me to go and enjoy. Unlike today, where there's a lot of pressure to perform, I felt no such pressure. He knew I had been practising with boys and thought I'd enjoy seeing and playing with girls too.

So, I went and saw many girls playing cricket, which was a revelation for me. I realized that women and girls also played cricket. I enjoyed it, and it turned out to be a case of beginner's luck. My dad got a call that I had made it to the side, but then I got my first period and was moved to the standby team. The captain of that team wanted me in the main side, and the selector assured me I was good and just needed to keep practicing.

As soon as I left KSCA, I got a call from Shantha Rangaswamy ma'am inviting me to play for the Falcons Club. That marked the beginning of my club journey, school cricket journey, and state trials all at once.

Who were your role models growing up?

My role model was my dad. He always told me how hard those days were for him and how much he sacrificed to even get a bat, have a professional kit, and face the challenges of playing cricket. Unlike now, when we have protein shakes, water, and food to eat, they didn't have those luxuries. They used to play about 10 games back-to-back early in the morning without proper nutrition. He always reminded me how fortunate I am to have these resources.

His stories inspired me to take up the sport and if I am continuing and striving to make it big, it is for him. I want to succeed and tell him that even though he couldn't achieve it, I did it for him.

Sachin Tendulkar sir is the cricketing icon I look up to. The first time my dad switched on the TV and told me it was a cricket match, I was puzzled and asked, "Why are there so many people chasing that one ball?" He explained it to me while eating, using a simple diagram to show the circle, wicket, and fielders. It all started to make sense to me.

He introduced me to Sachin Tendulkar and told me to watch him bat. I would sit very close to the TV, imitating Sachin's style, even his iconic stance adjustments. My dad told me not to copy everything, but I was determined to pick up the good things.

Sachin sir was my idol as I grew up watching him play. Though I haven't had the chance to meet him and talk to him yet, I hope to do so someday and learn more from him. 

How do you cope with setbacks, and what lessons have you learnt from those so far?

I faced a big challenge during my last year in under-23 cricket. I was the team captain, and we were doing really well. We had won six out of eight games, with four half-centuries and two unbeaten scores. It was a tough competition with teams from all over India.

Before our crucial games in the tournament, they announced selections for the challenger trophy and Asia Cup. I expected to be chosen because I had top scores in Karnataka and performed well against strong teams like Kerala and Punjab.

However, when the list came out for the quarter-finals against Delhi, my name wasn't there. It was disappointing because I had been consistent and scored well in important matches. Missing out on this opportunity was a setback, especially with big tournaments like the Asia Cup coming up.

I had questions about why I wasn't selected despite performing consistently and scoring against top teams. It's what selectors look for - consistency, scoring well against strong opponents, and contributing when the team needs it. Our team was also doing well, reaching finals for three years in a row.

Despite this setback, I focused on improving my game. I scored 147 not out in a match, showing my determination to perform well and win games. I believe in pushing myself to achieve my goals and not giving up, even when faced with challenges.

How did the COVID-19 pandemic impact your cricket career and how did you prepare the lockdown?

I learned a big lesson when facing challenges. I realised that setbacks are small compared to bigger things happening in the world. So, I told myself that even if I fail or face difficulties, it's okay. I used to think cricket was everything, but that mindset brought unnecessary pressure. So, I focused on staying fit and being consistent in my performances.

I talked to my coaches and realized I needed to match my skills with my actual game performance. They expected more from me because they knew my potential. So, I worked hard on my fitness and mental strength. Despite a tough time when my parents got COVID, I regained my confidence with the support of my trainer, Roshan sir.

He helped me mentally and physically during the lockdown, even setting up a small practice area at his gym. I realised that with determination and the right mindset, even a small space can lead to big achievements. COVID taught me that with a strong will and a focused goal, nothing is impossible.

Any advice that you would give to people who are suffering from mental health issues?

Back in the day, we didn't use words like 'depression' or 'anxiety.' We faced mental challenges differently. Nowadays, mental health is discussed more openly, even among top athletes like [Glenn] Maxwell taking breaks when needed. I've experienced mental fatigue myself, especially when I over-practiced before matches. Shantha Rangaswamy ma'am advised me not to overdo it, as too much practice affected my performance during games.

Different players have different mental preparations. Some, like Poonam Raut di, prefer extensive practice before matches. I, on the other hand, save my intensity for game days. My advice to everyone is to appreciate what you have - a roof over your head, food, family, friends, and pets. Patience and hard work are key. Shortcuts may seem tempting, but real success comes from dedication. Stay active, stay patient, and success will follow.

Can you describe a typical training day for you? What are the key areas you focus on during your practice sessions?

During different parts of the year, I follow different training routines. In the on-season, I focus on lighter exercises like power workouts, agility drills, and specific cricket training. Off-season is tougher because it's about pushing hard. It's called "off" because it's the time when you slog after all the fun of the on-season. In the on-season, you don't run as much, but during the off-season, you run long distances and lift heavy weights. Eating right is crucial during this time. On match days (on-season), I eat foods like rice, carbs, and chicken. But during the off-season, I switch to healthier carbs like sweet potatoes, millet, or wheat pasta.

My off-season routine starts early at 6 am with a 3 km run, followed by an hour of track workouts like speed training or endurance exercises. After that, I do core and strength exercises at the gym, nothing too intense. In the afternoon, I take a nap for about two hours, which helps me recover well. Then, I practice for three hours, rest a bit, and hit the gym again for quick, intense weight training to build muscle lost during the morning run. This routine changes depending on whether it's off-season, mid-season, or on-season, focusing on the right mix of cardio, strength, and specific cricket drills. Diet plays a huge role, making up 70% of the effort, while workouts are 30%.

Talk to us about the day you made your India A debut. When did you get to know that you'll be making your debut?

When I was packing for the Interzonal T20 tournament, I suddenly got added to a WhatsApp group about another tournament, the India A-Series. So, I had to pack two kits for both tournaments. We played a strong team (Central Zone) in the Interzonal tournament and [we] won. I scored 43 runs in that game. The next day, I didn't think I would play in the India A-Series because I didn't get any hints during practice. But then, on the bus, someone asked for my cap, which was a tradition before playing. I didn't realise what it meant until I got the cap back and was told I was playing. That's how I found out I was making my debut during the warm-up.

Is there any story behind the jersey number that you wore during your India A debut?

When we started playing state games, we could choose jersey numbers from 1 to 10. I wanted number 10 because I'm a big fan of Sachin Tendulkar. But there was another fan who was even more devoted, planning to get a tattoo of Sachin. So, I decided to let her have number 10 and took number 1 instead. Later, when I joined the senior team, I couldn't choose number 10 because it was already taken. So, I picked number 64 after considering a few options like 46, which some people thought was unlucky. 64 became my number, and it stuck with me ever since.

What is your favourite batting position?

In T20 matches, I focus on hitting hard and scoring boundaries and sixes when needed, especially in the middle and last overs. This style suits me well for that format. In 50-over matches, I excel in playing patiently and staying at the crease for as long as possible. I have the temperament and patience for it. However, my favorite format is Test cricket and 50-over matches because I enjoy playing many balls and scoring big runs. I think as I'm talking, I feel like I'm almost becoming like KL Rahul, playing middle overs and batting in the top order. I think the only thing that I've not done is wicketkeeping.

Do you remember the celebration that you did after scoring a half-century in the final of the Senior Women's One Day Trophy 2023?

That (shut the noise) celebration was special to me because it came after a tough time. We were playing against the same team at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in the final. I felt the pressure to perform well since it was our home ground, and my supporters were there. I started off strong, hitting Meghna Singh for two boundaries, and I felt confident. But then I made a mistake and got out. From that day until recently, I faced a lot of criticism, especially from my close friends and family. They kept reminding me of that match and doubted my abilities against tough teams and quality bowlers. It bothered me a lot.

When I finally got the chance to face them again and scored 46 runs, I felt a mix of emotions. I was so focused on proving myself that I didn't even realise I was close to reaching 50 runs. When I scored, I felt like dropping my bat to show that I won't listen to negative comments anymore. I wanted to prove that I can score against tough teams and even make a 50 against strong opponents. That's why I celebrated that way.

What are your short-term and long-term goals in cricket? 

For any cricketer, the long-term goal is to play in a World Cup, like the 50-over World Cup, and contribute significantly to their team's success. Winning matches, scoring big runs, and lifting the World Cup for their country is a dream for many players.

My current short-term goal is to help my team, Karnataka, win our first trophy. We have been performing well but haven't clinched the trophy yet. I believe we just need to fine-tune a few things to achieve this goal.
Another short-term goal is to join a reputable franchise in a tournament like the WPL, maybe even RCB because it's my home team.

Looking back at your career, is there anything you would have done differently?

I believe there are a couple of things I could have done differently in recent matches. For instance, during the India A series, I should have aimed to score big. In one of those games, I feel I could have made a significant impact with more runs. Similarly, in the finals against Railways, just adding 20 more runs could have made a difference and put more pressure on the opposition. If I had stayed at the crease a bit longer and avoided playing a bad shot, it might have helped me achieve my goals of winning the trophy for Karnataka and earning a spot in the national team by scoring big in those crucial games.

What advice would you give to young girls aspiring to play cricket at a professional level?

Cricket is an amazing sport to get into, especially now. When we started, we didn't have the exposure, money, or attention that women's cricket enjoys today. So, if you're thinking of taking up the sport, now is the perfect time because it's thriving and has a lot to offer. More than just a game, cricket teaches valuable life lessons. It's about teamwork, decision-making, and resilience.

Any final words that you would like to share with your fans?

Keep supporting me. I'm working really hard, and I'm going to make it big one day. I get a lot of messages on Instagram saying that you should have been there and you should have done that. I know you guys believe in me so much, and I'm going to make you all proud.