Sneh Rana has scripted a stunning chapter in her cricketing journey with a resounding comeback to international cricket. After a 16-month hiatus, the Indian all-rounder returned to the national setup during a tri-nation ODI series featuring India, South Africa, and Sri Lanka.
Her impact was immediate and emphatic—she bagged 15 wickets in just 5 matches, earning the Player of the Tournament award and equaling a long-standing world record. Her haul matched that of Australia’s Cathryn Fitzpatrick, who took 15 wickets in a 2003 tri-series, making Rana the first cricketer in 23 years to replicate such a feat in a multi-nation women’s ODI series involving 3–4 teams.
Rana’s campaign was nothing short of dominant. She began with a solid 3-wicket haul against Sri Lanka, followed by a game-changing performance of 5/43 against South Africa, leading India to a narrow 15-run victory. She maintained her rhythm with figures of 3/31 and 3/45 in the league stage, before delivering a decisive spell of 4/38 in the final against Sri Lanka. Her victims in the title clash included key batters like Chamari Athapaththu and Nilakshi de Silva, helping India to a commanding 97-run win in Colombo. Across the series, Rana took 15 wickets at an impressive average of 14.00 and an economy of 4.73. These numbers also saw her surpass Nooshin Al Khadeer’s record of most wickets for India in a multi-nation ODI series, and Rachel Pullar’s previous best for a tri-series.
What makes this success even more compelling is Rana’s road to redemption. She went unsold in the 2025 Women’s Premier League (WPL) auction, only to be later picked up by Royal Challengers Bangalore as a replacement for the injured Shreyanka Patil.
Making the most of her opportunity, Rana picked up 6 wickets in 5 WPL games at an average of 18.50, with best figures of 3/26. She also lit up the field with the bat, scoring 27 runs in just two innings at a blistering strike rate of 385.71, including a knock of 26. That short but impactful WPL stint opened the doors for her India recall—and she’s made sure the spotlight stays firmly on her.
Internationally, Rana has shown her class across all formats. In 4 Test matches, she has scored 121 runs with a best of 80* and has taken 23 wickets, including a memorable 8/77 and a 10-wicket match haul. In ODIs, she has featured in 32 games, scoring 216 runs with her highest being 53* and claiming 44 wickets with best bowling figures of 5/43. Her T20I career includes 25 matches with 24 wickets and a best of 3/9.
From setbacks to a sensational resurgence, her journey stands as a shining example for aspiring cricketers everywhere. With the Women’s World Cup looming, Rana has not only staked a strong claim for her place in the squad but has also reminded the cricketing world of the match-winner she truly is.
