Karimnagar Girl Bowling at 110 Kmph Picked for Sr Women’s Cricket Team
Karimnagar: Seventeen-year-old Katta Srivalli from Karimnagar is overjoyed after being selected by the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) to play against the senior Indian women’s one-day cricket team in Ahmedabad on December 4.
The youngest daughter of government teacher Katta Lakshma Reddy and beauty parlour owner Umarani, Srivalli’s cricket journey began at the age of nine. With the encouragement of her father, and despite early challenges, she pursued her passion.
Her father recalled how, in Class V, Srivalli approached boys her age to join their cricket games but was mocked. Undeterred, she sought permission from her physical education teacher (PET), Rahim, who allowed her to play and recognised her potential as a fast bowler. Rahim dedicated time to refine her bowling action and develop speed variations, laying the foundation for her growth.
Balancing academics and sports, Srivalli excelled in both, achieving 87 per cent in her Class X exams. Her dedication didn’t go unnoticed; Karimnagar Cricket Association president Agam Rao and secretary Muralidhar Rao praised her natural talent, noting her impressive ability to bowl at 110 kmph — a rarity in women’s cricket.
Her cricketing milestones include participation in the 2019 national school sports federation competition in Madhya Pradesh and representing HCA’s Under-19 team in Pune in 2022. At the Hyderabad training camp, she emerged as the highest wicket-taker, earning widespread acclaim.
Former Ranji Trophy player and coach Kanishk Nadi, who trained Srivalli for over a year, recognised her rhythm and potential from the outset. “A fast bowler needs strength and consistency. We focused on building her physical strength before fine-tuning her skills,” he said.
Despite her rapid rise, Srivalli remains humble and focused on improving her game. “She doesn’t celebrate a wicket; she asks about her bowling speed,” Nadi shared. “Srivalli is 70 per cent natural talent. Coaching added just 30 per cent.”