Episode 4—Aditi Chudasama, U19 USA Women's Cricket Team Player

TRANSCRIPT

Ashwath: You're listening to Between the Wickets.

I have the pleasure of speaking with Aditi Chidasma today, who has played for the USA women's under 19 and senior side. She was part of the American qualifiers last year, where she made her debut for the senior side. And this year she played in the global qualifiers.

Aditi, First, congratulations on representing USA women's under 19 and the senior team. Just to start off, it would be great for you to introduce yourself and then talk to me a little bit about your cricketing journey and how you were introduced to the sport.

Aditi: Okay. So, I'm a bowling around her for both of the USA teams and I started playing cricket when I was around 11 to 12 years old.

I started off playing, like, local leagues with the boys, and then, as, like, the popularity of the sport grew, we started making girls teams and started playing tournaments from there, and then it kind of just became separate from the boys, so I don't play with them as much anymore. I got into the sport around the time when the 2015 World Cup was going on, and then my brother started playing, and then that's how I gained interest.

Ashwath: First, we can talk a little bit about under 19. I think that was your first step towards, you know, ultimately making the senior side. So how was the experience and like, how were the tryouts for that? You know, how did you really get into the team first?

Aditi: So before I made my senior debut, USC cricket had just introduced a domestic pathway.

So we had intra regionals where they took. State teams. And then from there we had like Mid-Atlantic and Central West and South. So from there, uh, we would have a couple of games every year and then they would make the final squad based on that and like year round performances. And I think that was pretty much it.

I made my debut against West Indies in 2022, and then we had a couple bilaterals and then I played the World Cup. So that was kind of like, those were the stepping stones.

Ashwath: So like, how was that experience of playing in the World Cup, obviously like a, kind of like a big stage, you know, how did that go and how was your experience like with the team, with the coaches, everything in general?

Aditi: It was definitely like a fever dream, like it didn't hit until like I put on my jersey and I saw like Australia like warming up. And like, I was like, obviously like the quality is really high and everything is done really professionally. It was really cool to see how, like, really good teams operate and, like, things they do off the field matter way more than the stuff that they do on the field because that's how, obviously, it comes off.

So, the media attention that we got was really good and it kind of, like, boosted the cricket happening in the U. S. here. It was really intense and it kind of, like, gave everyone, like, it opened everyone's eyes and, like, upped our level a bit, so.

Ashwath: After that World Cup, how did it feel like kind of coming back to New Jersey and then obviously kind of playing here also?

I know it's like very different, you know, kind of playing conditions and all, but, and then, you know, coming back and then ultimately playing for the senior side. So how was that like kind of transition and how did you really go about kind of making it to that senior side?

Aditi: So obviously when we came back, we knew like where we stood with other teams.

So we had clear plans and like what we needed to do. And obviously one of the biggest things even right now is our fielding. So like with New Jersey grounds and stuff, it's a little hard to practice the stuff that you get in higher levels, but obviously like we do the best that we can. I started off opening the bowling in the World Cup, and then that's how I kind of made my way into the senior team, because we didn't have a lot of off spinners who could open the bowling.

And like, it helps in a short format. So that's kind of how I made my way into the senior team. It's just like a lot of consistent performances and I can bat. So like, it was not, it was not a, it was like pretty seamless transition, I guess.

Ashwath: I know you talked a little bit like about New Jersey and all that like I know you've played EYCL we've played against each other and all that.

Aditi: Yeah.

Ashwath: So how is like kind of like EYCL the whole like kind of NJ infrastructure how has that helped you along your journey and you know what do you wish that kind of like gave like what has that given you in your whole cricketing journey?

Aditi: I think obviously when I started off like the boys are not easy to play with at all like you're going to come across teams who are like really mean to you and you're going to come across boys who are nice and welcoming but it kind of just toughens you up in the long run like when you play against really good teams they're not going to be nice to you so like it toughens you up like when you're playing against good bowlers good batters like it's going to sharpen your skills so I'm thankful to have been playing with the boys since I was a little girl and obviously now I don't play as much anymore but it still feels good to be playing against people who are as good or as

Ashwath: Having played, kind of, all these big games, playing, like, since a very long time, playing World Cup, U19, like, the senior side, do you have anything, like, that helps you, like, mentally, kind of, prepare for these games, or even, like, physically, and if you could just, like, kind of, share a little bit about that.

Aditi: So as for the mental prep side, we obviously do a lot of analysis and stuff before the games. So having a good idea of your opposition is like a really good way to plan and like prepare for the games. It's really good to have a good support system outside of cricket. So someone who you can talk about anything with, whether it's like on field stress, off the field stress, it really helps you like clear your mind.

I know a lot of my teammates meditate. I'm kind of religious, so I pray. When you're playing like high levels, it's good to get your Get your team in a good headspace and like, get your mind blank before you start off. Anything that you have off the field, you leave it off the field. So when you're on the field, you're completely focused.

And as for physically, I'm going to make sure that like, we have a lot of pre match routines that help us stay warmed up and stuff. Can

Ashwath: you talk like a little bit? Physically, how do you kind of prepare like and train back at home so you can like be prepared? I know obviously playing on turf in like all these international games is much different than playing on ash or like matting here But maybe even in the nets How do you prepare to be able to be like be ready and just kind of jump into that international kind of landscape?

Aditi: I'm really thankful to have a great coach who, like, I went on with and he really focuses on, like, specific skills that will help me when I play on turf because some skills, they'll stay with you, like, no matter wherever you play. So, just like solidifying, like, my foundations and getting the basic stuff right, that'll help me no matter wherever I go.

So I focus on that and, um, bowling is kind of just whatever I need to fix. It won't change based on where I play. So, just like, getting the simple things right and working on my fundamentals will help me wherever I go.

Ashwath: You talked, like, a little bit about coaches. I wanted to also ask, when you played U19, when you played for the senior side, you have, like, a kind of full coaching staff, which is kind of different than how you play, like, locally with only, like, one coach.

So, how is it, like, playing with, like, multiple coaches? How has that, like, helped you? And how is, like, kind of the atmosphere with all the coaches around you?

Aditi: It's pretty amazing to be honest because you get a lot of different perspectives and inputs and you get advice that you probably like would or wouldn't get back home depending on who the coach is.

Like obviously I've had a lot of coaches. One was Shiv, who was from West Indies and he's like a legend of the game. And one was Charlotte and she, like, she's amazing. is from New Zealand. So obviously two really different people, like two different coaching styles, but you still have a lot to learn from them.

And with physios and strength and conditioning coaches, like I said, like before I made my debut, I would have a different pre match warmup. And now like little things like rolling, stretching, like warming up correctly, like all those little things matter. So you're fully fit for the game. And those are things that I've picked up once I've been around like good coaching staff and like professionals and stuff.

Ashwath: Like talking about like kind of like stretching and fitness and all that how important do you think fitness really has a role in cricket and what have like you've been doing personally or not been doing for like your own fitness and you know how important do you think it really is?

Aditi: It's really important, like, especially when you're on tour, and you have a lot of back to back games and nets and stuff.

And you don't have a lot of off days where Unlike when you're playing local games, it's only like max two games a week. So like stretching and warming up is really important. And little things we do like ice baths, cooling down, all really important. And obviously like off the field fitness stuff, whether it's like conditioning, sprint, stuff like that, when it gets really hot and tough out there, like all that counts, you know, I've incorporated all of that.

When I come back home, when we have our strength and conditioning coaches, like keeping us in check with like working out plans and stuff like that, that keep all of us. Like moving when we're not on tour.

Ashwath: So like having played such a long time, especially like cricket in America, you know, having been part of all these like women's tournaments that have recently been like really picking up, which is really good.

What's your take on how cricket is really growing in America and globally as well? On the women's side and just in general?

Aditi: Honestly, like with the Olympics coming up, I know Cricket has been really picking up because USA will be participating in it. So I know a lot of little girls from now are looking at that and thinking like, I want to play cricket because I want to be part of the Olympics.

Just like in New Jersey, if you see, there are so many girls that like, I know in Dream Cricket, we can make like two whole teams. So I think that's great to see because when I started, I think I was one of three girls in the tri state area. And now to see, like, three teams coming from just my academy, like, that's a lot of growth, and that's obviously because USA Cricket has been doing a lot for women, and, you know, just in general, like, I know the boys have a really complicated, like, domestic pathway system now, so, like, it's good to see, like, We have a structure like happening and it's building and it's like growing.

And I think globally, obviously like cricket is a big sport. So associate countries are also really picking up and there's a lot of stuff going on. I just played global qualifiers, which is for associate cricketers. And that's great to see.

Ashwath: So we've talked about like a lot of on the field stuff, like directly related to cricket, obviously off the field too, you know, you're growing up, you're like a teenager, you're playing cricket, but you also have school on the other hand.

I know even for me, like having a lot of tournaments, you know, having to take days off of school. How's it like kind of balancing school and cricket for you? How is that personally?

Aditi: It's like definitely not easy. I think when I went up for the World Cup, I had a bilateral, the World Cup, and two national championships, and I had missed almost 40 days of school in the first half of the year.

So they kicked me out. So, I had to do online school and obviously like, like on a deeper level, it was definitely a little like, you know, stressful because I wasn't in school. I wasn't in touch with any of my friends and I kind of had to self learn everything. So I think for me, like, while I was in school, time management was really, really important.

And while I wasn't in school, like when I was in online school, it gave me the flexibility to kind of focus more on cricket. So for my senior year, I'm going back to school, thankfully, and it's college apps like and stuff like that. So obviously a little stressful, you know, we have the World Cup coming up again in 2025.

So time management and like, obviously, clarifying your priorities to yourself is really important. And like, Knowing what the best thing for you to focus on in the moment.

Ashwath: I know you talked about like kind of missing your friends in school. And then I just wanted to ask about like, you know, your friends on the team, like all your teammates.

I know you guys are like pretty close on the field and off the field. So how has it been, you know, kind of sticking with that one team through like various tournaments, you know, playing obviously the world cup with them and all that. How has that kind of experience been?

Aditi: Honestly, I'm so thankful because I've been playing with these group of girls since I was 12, or more or less, like, you know, we're gonna have new people coming in, but like, especially for the senior squad, like, a lot of us have been playing together for a long time, and it really makes a difference.

The communication that we have with each other and the chemistry, like, to a team is obviously really important. You see, um, when we play against other teams who are like associate, like, countries, or they're developing, and they practice together. Um, one example is UAE. So they have a training facility and they practice together all the time.

And despite that, like we look more bonded and like we have a better team chemistry, even though we come from different parts of the country. And that really makes a difference when you're on the field and you know, the team is low, like the ability to pick up everyone's energy and shift it to your side.

Like it's definitely an advantage that we have because we're all so close. So it makes a difference on the field and off the field.

Ashwath: Yeah, I think team chemistry is like one of the key points in any team like be in being able to succeed. So I think that's really important and cool. And then you also talked a little bit about associate countries.

When you played the World Cup, obviously the thing big teams were, you know, cricket is more of like a Kind of daily thing over there. You know, there's a lot more infrastructure, which the U. S. is now growing a little bit. What would you say, like the main difference you saw in a team, like, you know, kind of the United States is still growing or maybe like India.

I know you talked a little bit about Australia and stuff. So what would you say, like the key differences and what do you think should be done to kind of like bridge that gap?

Aditi: The key differences are definitely fitness and fielding. Like, the stuff, like, they look like different people on the field, um, and I think obviously once we get better facilities, like better grounds, better pitches, blah, blah, blah, we'll obviously grow as players and as athletes, but I think fitness and fielding are definitely two things that are kind of in our control, and we can control that as of now.

The fact that we got so close to Sri Lanka in the World Cup with the amount of facilities that we had, I think they needed. 14 runs and two overs, obviously like very like defendable. Unfortunately, we weren't on the winning side, but like, obviously that shows how close we can get and with the right training, like we're on the East coast.

So it's six months, winter, six months, summer. So that's also like a disadvantage that we have, but like better grounds, turf pitches where we can practice more often. Like it would definitely give us an advantage, but like you said, like it's growing and like, we're getting like more fields and stuff, so hopefully that'll get better over time.

Ashwath: Do you have any like kind of cool memories or something that you saw from another team that like kind of like really stood out to you and maybe just like the way they went about their batting or their bowling or like any kind of like tendencies that any of these, you know, more bigger countries had?

Aditi: To be honest, like not really. Like, um, only because, like, on the field it's very all competitive, and like, you're not gonna expect anything much different. Like, when we were playing against Australia, we scored 60, we got all that, they chased it down in 10 overs. They're a really high quality team, and we expected that from them a little bit, like in hindsight, only because, like, you know, they're a really good team.

I think I have memories where we stood out as a team and like we kind of pulled it back around like on our side because when we played against West Indies we beat them like 4 1 and nobody would have really expected that when we like flew out there but we did and we beat West Indies twice and we also beat UAE twice so like there have been games where first half the game you think we're not in the game and the way we turn it around I think those are really positive learning moments that I'll probably carry with me for a very long time.

Ashwath: I know you're obviously like a bowling all rounder, it's your main role in the team is, you know, opening the bowling, bowling off spin. So on that part, how do you kind of vary your like deliveries? I know bowling off spin is like a little bit trickier because obviously majority of the batsmen are righty, so you're obviously turning the ball in, so how do you kind of vary your deliveries?

Do you kind of focus on varying your pace or is it more of a like kind of multiple deliveries you have, variations, or like what's the way that you go about it?

Aditi: So, because off spin has been like relatively Like, new to me in the last couple of years. Bowling with the new ball is a little harder, like, in terms of, like, grip, and, like, the ball's really new, and you're, like, gonna be bowling to the best batters of the team.

So, I kind of try to focus on things that I can control. So, definitely, like, the pace of the ball really, really matters. And also, my delivery point. Like, I try to kind of play around from where I'm delivering the ball from the crease. So, whether it's, like, closer to the stumps or behind the crease. Because I think, like, how the batter will perceive the ball will be a little bit different.

And with the new ball, like, all these little things, when the ball's drifting and turning a little less or more, that can affect the batter a bit, if that makes sense. Like, these little things matter when you're bowling with the new ball. So I kind of try to focus on pace and my delivery point.

Ashwath: Do you prefer bowling with the new ball than an older ball, or is it

Aditi: As a spinner, obviously, like, I would like bowling with the older ball, like, more.

But I've just grown so used to, um, bowling with the new ball, and it's something that, like, really helps the team, obviously. So I'm perfectly happy with that. I kind of haven't done much other than bowl with the new ball. I'll probably bowl, like, the first three of my overs, like, right there, so. Yeah, I don't mind.

It's a good challenge.

Ashwath: I just wanted to also, you know, ask kind of growing up in the USA, you know, there isn't that many big international like women's players from America specifically when you were like, you know, young and playing. So do you have any like kind of cricketing role models or just role models in general, like, you know, kind of helps you try to get closer to your goal?

Aditi: So my biggest role model is Virat Kohli. Basic answer, but I literally love that man so much. He's been my role model in terms of like fitness, fielding, um, the way he goes about batting. Obviously, like I started off, or I still bat like pre, pre pandemic. And at least domestically, that part of me is always going to be with me.

So looking up to his batting, his fitness, his fielding, and his aggression on and off the field, like it's great. So I definitely look up to him and now playing under my senior captain Sindhu. She's obviously a really talented cricketer and a really good leader. And I just admire the way she goes about things and she's a mom and she has a job and she's still scoring so many runs.

So I think I really look up to that too.

Ashwath: So I think kind of like getting to the end of our here's the I just had like one final question. So what advice would you have to, you know, young boys, young girls who are like kind of climbing up the ladder, getting to maybe trying out for U 19 next couple of years, or even like striving for that men's or women's side, do you have any advice for these young kids?

Aditi: Yeah, I have a couple of things, I guess, if I would say. Um, definitely focus on your fitness and fielding, because that's what's going to set you apart from other players. And, you know, having talked to so many selectors and coaches, and been in, like, selection meetings and stuff like that, like, we definitely talk about that.

And attitude is a big thing, because if you can't contribute with batter ball, like, How you are as a team player will definitely stand out. And working on your basics and having a good support system I think is really important too, because basics will always stick with you and your support system will help you when things get rough on the field.

Ashwath: Thank you so much for your time today Adithya and it was really great talking to you. Thank you.

Aditi: Thank you. Same here.