CricTracker Exclusive - I'm happy that India are making the finals of every major tournament: Sushma Verma

Starting a career in sports from a place, which is yet to fully embrace the culture of urban life, can be arduous. For Sushma Verma, hailing from Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, the journey hasn’t been a smooth ride either. But that she grew up in the bliss of mountains and snowfalls, made her hard as nails. It doesn’t spring a surprise that the 27-year-old is one of the fittest in the Indian national cricket team.

She may not have intriguing numbers at the highest level, but there’s more to her than meets the eye. Apart from being fit as a fiddle, she has hands, faster than a gazelle. There’s very little room for error when she’s behind the stumps, waiting for the batswomen to make an error. In the 2017 Women’s World Cup, she had 15 dismissals to her name, almost double than Alyssa Healy’s tally of eight.

In fact, in 2017, the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association named a pavilion after her at the Gumma stadium in her hometown. She is the first international cricketer from her state and has inspired many including Harleen Deol, who called her a “support system”. Harleen would later go on to play for India. For Sushma, she hasn’t played for India for over two years, but she hasn’t gone out of the radar by any means.

Last year in September, Verma made her way into the squad for the tour of West Indies after she became the second-highest run-scorer in the senior T20 competition in domestic cricket. She also impressed in last year’s Women’s T20 Challenged where she played for Mithali Raj’s Velocity.

Currently, in the global coronavirus pandemic, she has been busy, engaging herself in household chores. During this while, CricTracker decided to catch up with the dextrous wicketkeeper.

Here are the excerpts from Sushma Verma’s interview: –

The police are working day in and day out in the global pandemic. They are being lauded for their tireless efforts in the lockdown period. Being the Deputy Superintendent of Police in Himachal Pradesh, have you been assigned any responsibility?

I haven’t started working for Himachal Pradesh police yet. But I’ve got full freedom to practice and to prepare for upcoming matches and tournaments throughout the year. I’m not working, but yes I’m attached to the police headquarters in Shimla right now.

When the COVID-19 pandemic started, I realized one thing that right now as sportspersons, we don’t stand anywhere in the world. The police, doctors and maybe armed forces are at the forefront.

Then there are other workers and that’s more important than what sportspersons we can do. I would’ve loved to get the chance to work in this phase, but right now, cricket is a priority.

In your early days, you successfully played handball, volleyball, basketball, and badminton. How did you opt for cricket as a profession?

It was accidental and I’m not a planned cricketer. I was nowhere, had to choose a career between studies and my passion. I didn’t have clarity on what I was doing. Back in my childhood, in a place like Himachal, we didn’t have the exposure of city life. Pahadis’ are different from the others (chuckles). I had a passion for cricket, but I didn’t know about anything.

I didn’t know the name of anyone, I didn’t even know about the existence of an Indian team. I had no knowledge until I started playing the game professionally. There was no pressure from my family, they have always been supportive. There wasn’t societal pressure either.

In my school days, we used to get refreshments at 6 PM after playing games. But my PT teacher and volleyball coach knew that I won’t come and would be playing cricket. We didn’t have cricket bats or balls, rather I used badminton rackets and asked the other person to shoot in the shuttle. I only wanted to swing and that used to give me happiness.

I was in girls’ school and it was tough to make them do anything in sports and I used to request people to let me play. In keeping, all the credit goes to my personal coach, Mr Pawan Sen, who felt that I could become a better keeper. I have been lucky enough to get the things I wanted.

I was a part of the first batch of the Indian residential academy at Himachal in 2009. The HPCA had the infrastructure to support us, we just had to enter and explore. When I worked for the Railways from Jalandhar, I got to know that after hustling through traffic of city life, practising was a bit hard. In Dharamsala, I was lucky enough to get the world-class facilities.

In your childhood days, you shared a strong bond with your grandfather. Tell us about the role he played in shaping your cricket career:

I belong to a place, where girls don’t have much freedom, people even notice your attire. My grandfather was a retired teacher, my father is a teacher, and my family is into the education line. So, I thought I would take the same route at the age of 23, I’ll get married, that’s how it is for a common girl in Himachal. When you reach a certain age, you start getting worried about the future.

If cricket came into my mind, it was because of my grandfather. Both of us started listening to radio commentary when I was in third or fourth standard. He didn’t speak much, but whenever he did, he sounded like an expert. He didn’t play the game but thought so high about cricket and other sports.

When Sandeep Singh, one of India’s best drag-flickers, used to hit a penalty corner, my grandfather used to get so much get excited that he got on his toes. So, after seeing him, I developed an interest. We used to speak about every sport. He used to play volleyball, kabaddi and football during his days.

He used to know the names of a number of cricketers such as Shantha Rangaswamy and others. When the matches in New Zealand started early morning at around 3 AM, in radio, I listened that the ball swung around quite a lot due to the wind, though I haven’t been to the country until now.

Behind the urge to wake up early, feeling sleepy, there’s only one person- my grandfather. I feel very unfortunate that when I first played for India, I couldn’t share my feelings with him. He wanted to see me play for India. When I played for Board XI, I told him that I was very close to my target.

Back then, it was a bit tricky for me as five keepers were in the race. I never had a goal to play for India, rather I was eager to learn. I regret having not been able to share the moments with him. After I made my debut, I wanted to tell him how excited I was, but I couldn’t.

Earlier, you named Adam Gilchrist as your inspiration while growing up. What cues did you take from his keeping to groom yourself?

I didn’t watch anyone’s videos much. When you are a player, your coach comes and tells you about the nuances and then you get to know about the techniques. Sometimes, even without proper techniques, you get the desired results. I used to like watching Adam Gilchrist, especially how he kept to Shane Warne and effected stumpings off his bowling down the leg side.

It’s after I got to know about the realities about wicketkeeping that I started watching carefully, his hand movements, his crouching and standing positions while wicketkeeping. I didn’t intend to learn from them, it’s only that I used to enjoy watching them.

Tell us about your experience during India’ World Cup match against Pakistan in 2017:

Before the warm-ups, we took a lap of the park. The stadium was filling up and there was time for toss. When we were about to finish jogging, we saw some Pakistani fans sitting behind the sightscreen. We heard them saying something very nasty, I don’t remember the exact words though.

Shikha (Pandey) knew that I’ll give it back. She elbowed me, saying that we should take the shortcut and not go in their direction. She feared that I would end up in a verbal war with them. When we were going for the national anthem, a fight broke out between the Indian and Pakistani fans.

We haven’t seen anything of this sort, we didn’t even see enough crowds in women’s cricket, leave alone a fistfight. The police and security guards came to control the situation.

In that game, your 35-ball 33 helped India win. It was your 34-run stand with Jhulan Goswami that rescued your team. Share your memories about the innings:

The top-order, which shared a chunk of the responsibility, was blown away and I was sitting beside my coach Tushar (Arothe) Sir. From morning itself, I got a very different feeling that something was on the cards. In a match against Pakistan, we had to win, there was no second option. Harmanpreet Kaur asked me to be ready before she went out to bat, maybe even she could sense something.

The support staff had confidence in me since I scored 75 odd runs, playing for Central Zone, before the World Cup. I batted with the tail-enders and the match was drawn after we got a first-innings lead. In that game, Mithali Raj saw me for the first time. Against Pakistan, I wished to get some batting, though I couldn’t have asked for it. But I was confident that I could play a useful knock.

I wore my helmet beforehand; I don’t wait for wickets to fall. When I went in after Harman got out, I had Mona (Meshram) as my partner. My intention was to build a partnership, not in terms of runs, but through playing out balls. I was lucky enough to get around 20 overs (15.3 overs precisely). After Mona got out, Jhulu Di (Jhulan Goswami) came in and she is way better than many other batters.

I was out of my shell after playing around 17 to 18 balls where I rotated the strike and played out dot balls. Once I took the aerial route, the opponent spread the field. Jhulu Di then told to play my strokes as she felt that I was seeing the ball well. She also advised me to be cautious while going for the shots, bearing in mind that bowlers at the top level are smart. I only asked her to stay with me.

I remember in my debut, I got run-out with Jhulu Di. She asked me to take charge and I felt happy and confident that even being a senior player, she gave me the responsibility. She felt that I was capable of taking the team through. I was very satisfied to contribute as had we lost that league game, the scenario would have been different.

You have mostly batted at number seven or eight. Having said that, you have a few decent scores in the 30s and 40s. In last year’s Women’s T20 Challenge final, you got a 40*. Do you think coming higher up can help you express yourself better as a batter? 

When you have things, you start comparing. It’s like thinking if I would have had something then how would the situation have panned out. Definitely not, because it’s not my individual game. I’m not playing for my performances. I’m happy to perform for the team, irrespective of my position.

If I score 10 and the team wins then I’ll feel great. On the contrary, if I score a 50 or 100 and we don’t win, it won’t be worth it. My batting slot isn’t in my control, it’s the management that decides everything. And whatever they are doing, it’s keeping in mind the best interests of the team.

I don’t have any regret, I got more than what I expected for and I’m grateful. I don’t have many runs at the international arena. But If I recall those days, in around 10 to 15 matches, I didn’t even get to bat. But at times I feel that if I worked on my game a bit more, I could’ve had a different role.

Smriti Mandhana once said ‘you had a ghostly experience in a team hotel’ during the World Cup. What exactly happened?

It happened before the match against Pakistan. After practice, we went back to our rooms, allotted to us individually. Without getting refreshed, I went straight to bed and slept in my practice T-shirt. In my sleep, I felt as if someone was pulling me. It was as if someone was trying to turn me around, holding my shoulders. I was trying valiantly, but I couldn’t move and I got up from sleep.

It wasn’t dark inside either. I felt so stiff, I couldn’t comprehend what was happening. Then I started to fall asleep, but it continued happening. I never believed in paranormal activities, but that day my perception changed. Me and Harman had to go for a rehab and we earlier planned to go together. The ambiance was very silent inside the hotel. After 5 PM, there used to be pin-drop silence.

In India, during that time, we used to have fun. Meanwhile, I tried to reach my phone, tried to pull my blanket, but couldn’t. And I wasn’t able to move my legs either. Then I prayed to the God we worship at home and I felt as if someone forcefully released me. I was drained.

But I was still scared to turn around. I was crying profusely and called Harman to explain the entire situation. She found it funny to begin with, but later she realised something was wrong. We informed the team management and later, people poked fun at me.

India have lost quite a few finals in the last three years, including two world titles. Where do you think the team needs to tighten up in those crunch games?

Till the time the majority of the team works towards the same goal, we are unlikely to achieve it. The squad we had in 2017, it was there for around one and half years. Now there has been so many changes in the team. It becomes tough for the players and management, it’s my personal opinion. I feel that everybody should get enough time to get used to the pressure of international cricket.

Then the players would get confidence and play fearlessly. If somebody comes up and says that one low score would get me out, nobody will perform with that kind of pressure. If someone tells that you have a year or two to work on your skills, that’s how the mindset should be. It shouldn’t be putting pressure on the players and saying that if you don’t perform, you won’t get back.

It’s not that someone has said these things to me, it’s completely my personal opinion. Teams like Australia are wary of us now. With others, they are peaceful, but with India, they are on their toes. The Aussies are already on top and that’s how they played in the (2020 Women’s T20 World Cup) final. Once you win a final, you feel like a lion tasting blood, it’s a different feeling and then it becomes a habit.

But I’m happy that we are making it to the finals in every big event. Earlier, people weren’t concerned about us. But now, they are talking about women’s cricket in the same breath as that of men’s cricket. It’s a long-term thing, and the players along with the support staff and selectors should work towards the same goal. It’s not about skills and fitness, it’s about our approach.

A lot has been said about the Women’s IPL in recent times. How do you think it could it help women’s cricket going forward?

In women’s cricket, Australia are at the top. Their batters, coming at number seven and eight, play expertly enough for us to think that they have been playing international cricket forever. It’s not that they have played a whole lot more than our players. But the exposure and confidence they get in their Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) teams, playing at the top order, are priceless.

The more they score in domestic cricket, WBBL, the more confident they get while playing for Australia. They play in front of large crowds as well. I have heard that there will be four teams next time in the Women’s T20 Challenge and it’s something positive, and that’s how we get exposure. If the players get to rub shoulders with the big players globally, they will learn a lot.

Unlike previous times, our players are more confident in front of Australian players, having shared the dressing room. The hesitation has gone away. As an Indian, most of the times, cricketers are strangled by inhibitions. Now things are different. Players, who used to be shy, are so talkative now.

Once, the legendary Sachin Tendulkar gave you an autographed bat. Take us through those happy memories:

It was one of my match bats. I was in Mumbai and was attending a Railways camp at Mahalakshmi. There was Aslam uncle, who has his own shop (M. Ashraf Bros). He used to repair Sachin’s bats. Back then, Sachin was practising at the BKC for a tournament in the United States (US) in 2015. Some of our players had to get their bats repaired from Aslam uncle, who was very gentle.

I met uncle and he said ‘You know where I’m coming from?’ He knew that I was a fan of Sachin. He whispered to me, saying ‘Don’t tell this to anyone, I’ve his bats inside the kit bag and I’m taking them to him’. I found them very heavy, it was evident that uncle had worked very hard to make them. Then I literally pleaded him to get Sachin’s autograph. He looked at me angrily at first.

Then I said, ‘You can’t do this much for me!’ (laughing). Somehow, I managed to convince uncle. He also told me not to reveal anything since he felt that others would also start approaching. I gave my best bat and when it came back with the autograph, uncle laminated it as well. I didn’t play with that bat and changed my match bat. In the next three years, that piece of willow remained in my kit bag.

After the 2017 World Cup, I framed it at my residence. Recently, he came to Dharamsala for the opening of a museum. There he looked at me and said ‘how are you?’ I was pleasantly surprised and replied back. Vikram Rathour, India’s batting coach, was also there. He started introducing me, but then Sachin recognised me. He advised me to keep working hard and scale greater heights in my career.

One current cricketer and Bollywood star, who would like to take a selfie with:

It’s tough to pick one. I generally take selfies with the team. I admire Meg Lanning a lot, so maybe her. And from men’s cricket it will be Rohit Sharma. From Bollywood, it’s Akshay Kumar. I’m a huge fan of him, as a person. He is intelligent, humble and a perfect icon.

One Indian cricketer, you can talk to for wisdom:

There’s Shikha, she’s very intellectual. She talks well about whatever topic we discuss. Usually, you want to talk to someone with whom you share similar thoughts. I feel relaxed after interacting with her. In the end, we are always on the same page.

The exercise drill you get nightmares of:

Push-ups. I’m very bad at it. Earlier, I used to get tired after three to four. But I challenged myself in the lockdown and now I can do 10 to 12 in one go, which is kind of the biggest achievement for me (burst out laughing).

Being a hardcore ‘Pahari’, the adventure sports would you rather pick:

I love trekking. I’m not a beach girl, I don’t like water and I don’t know how to swim either. In Himachal, it’s easy to go for trekking and I’m used to it.