Gautami Naik’s love for cricket began in the narrow lanes of her neighbourhood, where she played street cricket with boys using rubber and plastic balls. Watching matches with her father and grandfather, she quickly fell in love with the game. “I would think about cricket all day, it became part of who I was,” she recalls.
Despite early resistance from some family members, who were uncomfortable with her playing with boys, Gautami’s unwavering passion kept her going. When she finally joined a cricket academy, she faced a steep learning curve, transitioning from unstructured gully cricket to professional coaching took nearly three years. But she never looked back.
Playing with boys didn't intimidate Gautami, in fact, it sharpened her instincts. “It taught me how to handle pressure and react strategically,” she says. Her confidence and toughness, forged in street matches, would later become her biggest strengths.
When resources were tight, her coach, Vinesh Sir, stepped in, ensuring she had everything from proper bats to mental support. “He didn’t let me feel like I lacked anything,” she says. That support system was pivotal in turning potential into performance.
Gautami’s real breakthrough came during the Women’s Maharashtra Premier League (WMPL). In an exhibition match, she played an eye-catching innings that drew the attention of former India cricketer Kiran More. That one knock changed her life.
“He asked about me and stayed in touch,” Gautami shares. At the time, she was playing for Nagaland, but soon opportunities began to flow, including a stint with Mumbai Indians and eventually a place in the Baroda team. At Baroda, she trained alongside senior India players, learning the discipline, mindset, and work ethic that define elite cricket.
In the Invitational Series, Gautami exploded onto the scene with a staggering 900 runs in just 10 matches, including unforgettable innings of 250 and 300. “I wasn’t chasing numbers, I just wanted to dominate every game,” she says. With 14–15 hours of practice daily, her focus on endurance, shot selection, and mental strength paid off.
These standout performances earned her a place in the Ratnagiri Jets’ inaugural women’s team, a moment she describes as both historic and deeply personal. “They made us feel like professionals from day one. It was more than a team, it felt like being part of something meaningful,” she says.
Opening the innings with Smriti Mandhana, Gautami soaked in every lesson. “Smriti taught me how to stay calm under pressure and focus on one ball at a time. Her discipline left a lasting impression,” she shares.
Gautami is not resting on her laurels. “My next goal is simple, keep improving every single day,” she says. Her focus is now on fitness, mental toughness, and refining her skills for the next season of WMPL and beyond.
For a girl once told not to play with boys, Gautami Naik has become one of the most promising names in women’s cricket, proof that belief, resilience, and opportunity can transform a dream into destiny.
