Danielle Wyatt doesn't like facing Arjun Tendulkar anymore

Danielle Wyatt, England’s all-rounder, feels playing cricket in India is the highlight of a cricketer’s career and is looking forward to playing the Women’s T20 Challenge.



The Women’s T20 Challenge that was scheduled to be played in May, had to be postponed due to the restrictions that were in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic. England’s home series against India, that was to due to start at the end of June, also had to be postponed, though talks are on for a series in September.



“I think it (Women's T20 Challenge) is a fantastic tournament to play in. Playing cricket in India is the highlight of a cricketer’s career,” she told cricket.com. “Playing on the field, being on the boundary in front of big crowds, everyone screaming your name – it is all an amazing feeling. But not so good when you get out in a game against India.”



“I'm really happy playing in the women's IPL and hopefully I will play again. It has been postponed this year so I will try to manage my schedule to play in it again,” she added.



Wyatt has been part of England’s side in 183 internationals across formats since making her debut against India in Mumbai back in 2010. She shared some fond memories of her debut.



“It was a very special day for sure. Charlotte Edwards presented me with my cap,” she said. “It was a very hot day in Mumbai. I can't remember the name of the ground but it was a bit far out.”



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“To get a win, a 28 not out, and to hit the winning run made it even more special. I remember my first international run came off Jhulan Goswami. I just guided it down to third man, I don't know how because I was so nervous. Yeah, that was a very special day for sure. My dad was actually in the air, on the aeroplane on his way over so he missed my debut. But he was there for my T20I debut the next day, which didn't go so well. I think I got run out on the first ball.”



Wyatt’s highest T20I score of 124 also came against India in Mumbai in 2018 and she says it was a very special since her dad was able to witness it. “I got my hundred with a four over Deepti Sharma's head. It was a very special moment to have my dad in the crowd,” she said.



“I get pumped up if it is a big crowd and that is why I love playing cricket in India because everyone there is so passionate. Some cricketers don’t like it because it makes them nervous. But I thrive on it and really enjoy it.”



Wyatt also spoke about meeting Sachin Tendulkar and his son Arjun and sharing a good bond with the latter.



“I first met Sachin and Arjun at Lord's Cricket Ground. Maybe 2009 or 2010 when I was with MCC young cricketers and they were training in the nets,” she said. “Literally I went to the nets and said, 'hello and introduced myself saying I am Danni' etc. Arjun would have been 10 years old back then, he was so small. There is a photo somewhere on Google. I bowled to him that day, he was very good.”



“Since then whenever I bump into Sachin or Arjun or whenever they come to Lord’s to train, I go to the nets and ask him (Arjun) to bowl the new ball to me. But he is getting very quick now. He always says I will bounce you and knock your head off so I don’t like him bowling to me anymore. He is getting too dangerous to face,” she concluded.



https://open.spotify.com/episode/7fji2PZYGMgkzXoi8QSYcO?si=E_JojFzlT1CukPbbf_3ZOw