Sneh Rana is no stranger to comebacks. In a sport that demands unwavering resilience, the all-rounder from Uttarakhand has time and again proven that setbacks are mere steppingstones to greater achievements. As India gears up for a crucial limited-overs season and eyes another tilt at World Cup glory, Rana’s resurgence couldn’t be timelier.
Last year, Sneh Rana etched her name into Indian cricket folklore, becoming only the second Indian bowler after Neetu David to claim eight wickets in a Women’s Test innings, an extraordinary feat that underscored her red-ball prowess. Yet, the white-ball narrative was far less comforting. After being dropped from both the T20I and ODI squads following the 2023 season and even going unsold at the 2025 Women’s Premier League (WPL) auction, the odds seemed stacked against her.
But as cricket so often teaches, fortunes can change with faith and fortitude. A timely contract with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the wake of Shreyanka Patil’s injury gave Rana the lifeline she needed. She made it count-bagging six wickets in five matches, but more memorably, smashing a record-breaking 26 runs off six deliveries against the UP Warriorz. With a strike rate seldom seen in the women’s game, Rana not only announced her return but demanded attention from national selectors.
Rana’s selection for the tri-nation ODI series in Sri Lanka marked a turning point. Here, she shed every ounce of rust and self-doubt, capturing 15 wickets, topping the bowling charts in the series at an economy of 4.73 and rewriting a 22-year-old record for most wickets in a triangular or quadrangular ODI series by an Indian. Her five-wicket masterclass against a rampant South African opening pair pulled victory from the jaws of defeat. In the final, she sealed India’s dominance with another four-wicket haul, a Player of the Series performance that left little doubt about her place in the squad.
So, what changed? In Rana’s own words, not much technically, but everything mentally. “I’ve become a bit mentally stronger,” she told India Today Digital, reflecting on the trials between 2023 and 2025. Setbacks are inevitable in international sport, but what defines the greats is the ability to absorb the blows, learn, and return stronger. Her persistence and mental fortitude now set the tone for her role as both a leader and a team player.
Beyond the wicket columns and highlight reels, Rana’s return is a beacon for India’s budding women’s cricketers. She recognises the importance of mentorship, sharing conditions and experiences with younger teammates, knowledge she knows is critical, especially on foreign tours such as the upcoming England series.
“I believe that as an all-rounder, Sneh Rana has a very important role. Not just as a batter or a bowler, but as an all-rounder,” she remarked, with characteristic humility.
Rana’s tenure with RCB also offered new lessons, playing under the astute leadership of Smriti Mandhana and alongside global icons like Ellyse Perry. She lauded Mandhana’s calming influence and Perry’s relentless work ethic, absorbing every bit of their cricketing wisdom. The support of the passionate RCB fanbase, the ‘Twelth Army,’ added an extra layer of motivation, amplifying her sense of purpose each time she took the field.
As she readies herself for another shot at T20I glory on English soil, Rana draws on the lessons of her past tours and the growing depth of her game. With the World Cup on the horizon, her present form and newfound mental resilience promise to be a vital asset for Team India.
Cricket, like life, is a game of second chances. Sneh Rana’s journey, marked by grit, heartbreak, and now triumph, is a reminder that the human spirit, when tested, can script the most uplifting stories in sport. As the world watches, Rana is not just eyeing a World Cup spot, she’s rewriting the script of her career, one comeback at a time.
(Quotes sourced from India Today)
