India’s rising pace sensation Nandni Sharma has opened up about the bowlers who inspired her journey, revealing that Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah have played a major role in shaping her approach to fast bowling. The youngster also credited former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan and South Africa star Marizanne Kapp for influencing her development as she continues to establish herself on the international stage.
Speaking to JioStar, Nandni reflected on her early cricketing years and explained how her love for pace bowling began by watching some of the finest seamers in the game. The Indian pacer said she was fascinated by Irfan Pathan’s ability to swing the ball and dismiss batters consistently, which motivated her to pursue fast bowling from a young age.
“I grew up watching Irfan Pathan sir bowl. The way he swung the ball and took wickets, that really made me want to do the same,” Nandni Sharma said. The youngster added that she closely follows Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah, two bowlers renowned for their control, accuracy and ability to deliver under pressure. “Currently, I look up to Bhuvneshwar bhaiya and Bumrah paaji. The way they bowl with control and variations is something I try to learn from,” she explained.
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Nandni also highlighted South African all-rounder Marizanne Kapp as one of her biggest inspirations in women’s cricket. “In women’s cricket, I am a huge fan of Marizanne Kapp. She bowls with pace, hits the right areas, and always gives her best. Watching her inspires me to keep pushing myself,” she added.
The young fast bowler also credited her early training environment for accelerating her growth. Nandni revealed that her coaches encouraged her to train exclusively with boys, a challenge that helped improve her skills and mental toughness.
Nandni Sharma: Bumrah and Bhuvneshwar are my biggest bowling influences
India fast bowler Nandni Sharma names Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah as her top influences, revealing how training with boys and Irfan Pathan’s legacy shaped her pace-bowling…https://t.co/Zu2mzMkBwx pic.twitter.com/PUB4nyUGF4
— NationPress (@np_nationpress) June 24, 2026
“The moment I started bowling, the coaches pushed me to play with the boys. I was the only girl among them. But that never stopped me,” she said. According to Nandni, competing alongside boys forced her to adapt quickly to greater pace and intensity. Whether it was batting, bowling or fielding drills, she constantly had to raise her standards to keep up.
Interestingly, Nandni admitted she had briefly considered switching to spin bowling due to the physical demands and injury concerns associated with fast bowling. However, her success with pace convinced her to stay committed to her craft.
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“Fast bowling is very difficult. Injuries happen often. You must stay extra fit and take more care of your body,” Nandni Sharma said. “But wickets kept coming, and that gave me confidence,” she added.
With a strong work ethic, clear role models and growing confidence, Nandni Sharma appears determined to make a lasting impact in Indian cricket as she continues her journey as one of the country’s most promising fast-bowling talents.
