Source: Titas Sadhu’s Instagram.
Titas Sadhu burst onto the cricketing scene during the Women’s Under-19 World Cup, where she wreaked havoc with the ball and was hailed as the “next Jhulan Goswami”. Titas exuded a spark, an X-factor, with a zing in her run-up, and eyes hungry for wickets. She was a breath of fresh air for India’s women’s cricket.
That was December 2023. Cut to January 2025, and the same Titas now appears almost unrecognisable, struggling against a rather one-dimensional Ireland batting line-up. In two matches against Ireland, Titas has conceded 96 runs in 19 overs and picked up only two wickets. While bowling figures don’t always tell the complete story, in this case, they accurately reflect how far Titas has fallen from her promising start. So, what changed between December 2023 and January 2025 that transformed a rising star into a shadow of her former self? Is this yet another case of an Indian U-19 star losing their way? Let’s delve deeper.
The Injury Factor
Titas’ journey took a major hit when she was sidelined with a back injury after India’s tour of Bangladesh in May 2024. Until then, she had played 9 T20Is, picking up 9 wickets at an economy rate of 5.44 and an average of 16.33, including career-best figures of 4/17 against Australia at DY Patil Stadium.
However, the injury kept her out of action for six months. Since her return in December 2024, she hasn’t been the same bowler. Across formats, she has played 10 matches, claiming 9 wickets with an economy of 5.77 and an average of 42.44.
India’s Ad Hoc Selection Policies
Titas’ comeback was marked by her ODI debut against Australia in Brisbane during the first match of the series in December 2024. India, batting first, collapsed to a mere 100 runs in 34.2 overs. The Indian bowlers faced a near-impossible task to defend the paltry total, but they gave it their all, managing to claim five Australian wickets.
The bowling figures of India’s three pacers were:
- Renuka Singh Thakur: 3/45 in 7 overs
- Saima Thakor: 0/18 in 3 overs
- Titas Sadhu: 0/27 in 4.2 overs
All three pacers conceded six or more runs per over. Surprisingly, Titas was dropped for the second ODI as Minnu Mani was brought in to strengthen the batting. The question arose: among Renuka, Saima, and Titas, why was Titas the one to make way? Both Saima and Titas were expensive in the first game, so why was Titas, who had just made her ODI debut, singled out?
If Titas wasn’t ready for her debut, why was she selected in the first place? From a player’s perspective, this decision could be demoralising. Imagine this: you start your career on a high, suffer a six-month injury setback, and return with apprehension and anxiety. You’re handed an ODI debut, only to be dropped after one match due to factors outside your control. Where is the clarity in selection?
Was Titas dropped because Renuka is India’s most experienced bowler, and Saima, being from Mumbai, had the edge? To make matters worse, Titas was brought back for the third ODI, adding to the inconsistency in selection.
The Impact on Titas
Since her return to the XI, Titas seems desperate to take wickets. This desperation is evident in her erratic line and length, as she tries too hard to make things happen. Unfortunately, this approach has only compounded her struggles.
Every player transitioning from a talented youngster to a great athlete needs proper mentoring and guidance. At 20, Titas requires reassurance and confidence, but India’s women’s team management seems to be failing on this front. Has anyone spoken to Titas and assured her of her role? Has she been told she won’t be dropped irrespective of her immediate performances?
Another pacer, Arundhati Reddy was mysteriously dropped after delivering her career-best figures against Australia. Is Titas even part of India’s plans for the ODI World Cup? With Renuka’s return, Titas will face stiff competition from Saima and Sayali Satghare, both Mumbai-based bowlers.
It’s easy to criticise or write off a player, but many factors influence performance. Presently, Titas faces numerous questions about her place in the team, her role, and her future. Some of these questions can only be answered by Titas herself—by staying calm, performing to the best of her abilities, and focusing on what she does best. For the remaining questions, she has to hope that the “right persons” have the right answers.
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