Who is Priya Mishra? 5 interesting facts about leg-spinner who starred in 3rd IND-W vs NZ-W ODI 2024
A young Priya Mishra made her debut for the Indian Women's cricket team in the second ODI against New Zealand on Sunday (October 27) at the age of just 20. While the White Ferns won the game, Priya had an impressive outing nonetheless, bowling 10 overs and ending with figures of 1/49.
However, in the third ODI of the series, the rising leg-spinner only bettered her performance, picking up two wickets for 41 runs in 10 overs as India bowled New Zealand out for 232.
For those unknown, the young leg-spinner was also named in the Indian team for the 2024 Women's T20 World Cup as a non-traveling reserve. Priya Mishra had put up consistent performances in domestic cricket and it was only time before she arrived on the international scene, becoming the 147th player to represent the Indian Women's team in ODIs.
While her performances in the series against New Zealand have done the talking, here are five interesting facts about the leg-spinner that you may not have known yet.
#5 Priya Mishra was among India A's top performers on their tour to Australia
Before making her international debut, Priya Mishra impressed one and all with her solid display for India A during their Australia tour. She picked up six wickets in an unofficial Test.
Moreover, she grabbed five wickets in the third ODI of the same tour as India A went on to win the game by a massive margin of 171 runs. The youngster created a solid impact, displaying her potential with the ball.
#4 Highest wicket-taker in the 2023-24 Senior Women's One-Day Trophy
The young sensational leg-spinner represents Delhi in domestic cricket. She was selected to play for Delhi Women's Senior Team at the tender age of just 17, making her a prodigy.
Despite her young age, Priya Mishra's performances have been big. In the 2023-24 Senior Women's One-Day Trophy, she emerged as the leading wicket-taker with 23 scalps at an impressive average of 9.86.
#3 Yet to play a game in the Women's Premier League (WPL) despite being picked
Following her brilliant performances in the domestic circuit, Priya Mishra was rewarded when she got picked as a 19-year-old by Gujarat Giants during the Women's Premier League auction in 2023.
Gujarat Giants acquired the young leg-spinner for a sum of INR 20 lakh ahead of the 2024 season. However, she did not get an opportunity to make her debut in the league as she did not play a single game throughout the season.
Come the 2025 WPL, she will definitely be among the key players as far as the Gujarat Giants are concerned.
#2 Did not know about the existence of women's cricket while in school
Quite surprisingly, Priya Mishra was not aware of the fact that women's cricket ever existed and believed that cricket was only a men's game. She used to play cricket with boys in her neighborhood.
Priya’s passion for cricket began in her childhood in Karol Bagh, where she played with friends on the streets and in local parks.
It was only in Class VII at school that Priya was formally introduced to the game and began her training journey to play the sport professionally. Her path toward serious cricket took shape when she joined Salwan Girls School in Rajinder Nagar in the seventh grade.
#1 She was a medium-pacer when she started out
As Priya Mishra began her professional journey in cricket during seventh grade, she initially started off as a medium-pace bowler in the first three to four months.
However, it was her coach at school who advised her to switch to leg-spin, as she did not have the height for a medium pacer. She did not have the required speed for a medium pacer either and had a rough landing.
Following the advise, she turned to leg-spin and ever-since, there has been no looking back for the young sensation.