Vrinda Dinesh’s first Women’s Premier League (WPL) season was cut short last year when she sustained a shoulder injury during a match against Mumbai Indians. She was able to play three matches and score just 18 runs.
Cut to the 2025 edition of the WPL, and after a few disappointing outings with the bat, the Karnataka batter perhaps showed what she can bring to the table when in the right zone.
Vrinda scored a 30-ball 33, a knock which included some fine drives through the off side, against Mumbai Indians, for UP Warriorz and said she tries to enjoy batting every time she goes out to the middle.
“I have learned to not take cricket too seriously. It is also a fun sport. Yes it is tough at times but that’s just how it is,” Vrinda told reporters after the Warriorz were defeated by MI by eight wickets at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Wednesday.
ALSO READ: Bowling coach Pravin Tambe feels week-long gap gave Gujarat Giants time to ‘assess things’
In UPW’s first four matches of the ongoing season, the 23-year-old notched up scores of six, 16, four, and 14. However, the runs and the outcome were never on her mind while at the crease.
“I have been batting well since the start of the tournament but there are days that it doesn’t really happen. I think we should accept it and not chase it. You should just wait for things to happen to you,” she said.
“When the franchise retained me, I knew I needed to do something for them. They have been taking care of me. I’ve been patient with my batting and I’m trying to enjoy it,” Vrinda, who was bought for Rs. 1.3 crore by the Warriorz last year, added.
The right-hand batter added 79 runs for the second wicket alongside Australian Grace Harris, who was bumped up the order and sent out to open for UPW.
ALSO READ | Sciver-Brunt’s all-round show helps Mumbai Indians trounce UP Warriorz
“Grace is a very funny person, she laughs all the time. I was also brought into that mood today where both of us were actually laughing. There wasn’t any serious talk. We were saying things like ‘Oh girl, get this’ and ‘Good shot’. It was a lot of fun batting with her,” Vrinda revealed.
She also heaped praise on Kiran Navgire, one of the power-hitters for Warriorz this season and the player who usually opens with Vrinda.
“It’s scary to stand at the non-striker’s end,” Vrinda laughed. “I try to duck whenever she’s [Kiran] trying to hit straight. But, she’s in a fantastic zone. She just goes about her way without thinking about other things and I think that’s the best way to go about it.”
While Vrinda didn’t open for the side against MI and was sent at No. 3, the youngster felt this slight change in the batting order will not change her approach.