"If this WPL had come 10 years ago, I would've felt a lot of pressure" - Gouher Sultana on UPW, India setbacks & mental health awareness [Exclusive]

It's been over a decade since Gouher Sultana played for the Indian women's cricket team. One of the most enduring mysteries of cricket in the country is how Gouher, who averages under 20 in ODIs and has an economy rate under six in T20Is, was dropped from the 50-over format immediately after a match in which she recorded figures of 10-3-15-4.

But women's cricket in India is no stranger to selection controversies, and players have been through the trenches when it comes to lack of communication from the selectors. A few, like Gouher, have managed to find greener pastures after such setbacks.

In an exclusive interview with Sportskeeda, Gouher Sultana reveals that her passion for the game of cricket hasn't dwindled even a bit since she was 11 years old. She repeatedly uses the word "content" and takes a great deal of heart from her ongoing involvement with Women's Premier League (WPL) franchise UP Warriorz (UPW), who organize frequent off-season camps.

Gouher opens up about a host of topics in a freewheeling chat. She talks about being suddenly dropped from the Indian team, a tough decade-long domestic grind, and an unexpected comeback to the top level. Most importantly, the 36-year-old candidly hands out welcome advice to young cricketers who might be struggling mentally.

Here are some snippets from the conversation:

Excerpts from Gouher Sultana's exclusive interview with Sportskeeda

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Q: Let's start off by reliving some happy memories. You were picked towards the end of the WPL 2024 auction, by a team that already had left-arm spinners. Were you surprised? I'm sure you would've been over the moon regardless!

Gouher: Honestly, I had done only UP Warriorz' trials, so I didn't think any other team would be interested in me. Because UPW already had two left-arm spinners, I had a lot of doubts. I was pretty tense; it wasn't happy at all [laughs]. By the second round, I had switched off my TV and told myself it's not happening. Then I got a call from a UPW official, and he congratulated me. It took me a while to accept that I had been picked. That was the happiest moment, after it sunk in.

Q: Before being picked by UPW, you had been through the domestic grind for a decade. Franchise cricket would've been a different kettle of fish for you to deal with, right? What was that transition like?

Gouher: It was a challenge, to be honest. I had played a lot of T20, but the WPL stage is different. There's a lot of intensity in the camps and the games, very different from what is present in the domestic circuit. It was good to be back at that quality of games. When I got a chance, I think I could've done better. But it was a great learning, just being part of a franchise that supports you and makes you feel welcome. I'm very thankful to UP Warriorz. I was one of the most senior players and was starting to feel a little out of place, but the coaches, owners and everyone else made me feel very comfortable as if I was in a family.

Q: From when you last played international cricket in 2014 to the second edition of the WPL in 2024, a lot has changed. What has that journey been like for you, as a player? What do you do to keep yourself at the top of your game?

Gouher: Definitely. From when I last played international cricket in 2014, the game has changed tremendously. There's been a lot of improvement in the physical aspects of women's cricketers - more players are able to clear the boundary, and more players are able to field well. This is something I've added to my game in T20 cricket - if I have to keep up, I need to do these things to be successful. As a spinner, I would like to spin the ball and create those doubts, but there's only so much help we can get from the pitch. I'm learning to use the angles a lot and using the crease - small things. According to the situation, I want to apply those variations.

Q: In WPL 2024, Harmanpreet Kaur and Gouher Sultana were the only two Indian players who had made their international debuts before 2010. Did you know that? What was the key to making a comeback?

Gouher: Wow, it is pretty exciting to hear that, and pretty challenging too. I have faced a lot of challenges in these years that I wasn't part of international cricket. I thought of quitting many times, but I knew in my heart that I wasn't finished. The last series I played, I had eight wickets in two games. I did decently in the T20 World Cup in 2014 too. But I was dropped after that. I need to keep myself fit and keep up with the youngsters. The Indian mindset - once you cross 27 or 28, they'll look at youngsters. If you're not fit and not performing consistently, they won't even think about you.

Gouher Sultana played two matches in WPL 2024 [Image: wplt20.com]

Q: Did the selectors tell you why they dropped you from the team when you were in good form? How did you deal with that setback?

Gouher: Honestly, I have no idea. That is something that isn't in my control. Instead of thinking why I was dropped, I made myself practice a lot and speak with my performances. That's what I've been trying to do all these years, and it's been working for me. When you start thinking about the uncontrollables, you'll start finding reasons.

It's quite unfair to be dropped from the side after serving the nation for a long time. I think the least a player expects is communication, for somebody to explain why they don't fit in anymore and what they need to do to improve.

Q: The door is not closed to a comeback to the Indian team. We saw Sneh Rana return a couple of years ago despite spending nearly a decade in the wilderness. Does that hope still burn within you?

Gouher: Yes it does. Not just Sneh but Asha too. There's absolutely hope, but right now I'm happy and content with where I am. I just want to continue whatever I'm doing now and do my best for the team. The rest will fall into place. I'm trying to work on my game and stay in the present. I'm content where I am.

Q: We've seen a lot of players peak late in their careers, and the reasons for that aren't always limited to cricket. As you've gotten older and more experienced, has it been easier for you to stay calm and not be burdened by pressure?

Gouher: Absolutely. Once you start getting older and playing a lot of cricket, confidence is more because you've faced those challenges and gone through those experiences. At one point, you have nothing to lose. That's what I've tried to do in this WPL. If this WPL had come 10 years back, I would've felt a lot of pressure. Now that I've gone through so many things in my life and in my career, it's easier to stay calm.

Q: You're one of the few cricketers to have been refreshingly open about seeking psychological help if needed. How did that shift come about, and how did finetuning the mental aspect help your game?

Gouher: Yeah, when you want to keep performing and going forward, it tends to put a lot of pressure on yourself. When things are not happening, there's a point where everything adds up. Even if you want to take it one day at a time, you can't anymore. That happened with me in one tournament I played for Bengal in 2019. There was a live telecast match in the quarterfinal, and until then I had been bowling very well. I put a lot of pressure on myself that this is the game where I need to prove to people that I belong. I couldn't perform or deliver the ball where I wanted to; it felt like my body wasn't in my control.

Gouher: It took a lot of time to realize what was happening with me. I was very regular with practice, and I initially thought it was a technical aspect which needed correction. Then I realized that it wasn't about my cricketing or physical ability; it was all in my mind. I discussed with Nooshin Al Khadeer about it, and she suggested that I speak to a psychologist. Even in 2019, things weren't that open, and she didn't tell me directly. But I took help, and it ended up helping me a lot.

Gouher: Now, the mindset has changed. I don't think about the future or getting selected at a higher level anymore. Even when WPL came, I was very disappointed to miss out on the first season, but it didn't mess with my state of mind much. There are a lot of players with pressure from their family and their coaches, and sometimes players fail to do it. They miss out on the best years of their career because of this. Now, at least, we are open and there are people who understand enough not to judge you. These players should take help.