Mumbai-based all-rounder Hurley Gala had missed a great opportunity due to a thumb injury. In January 2023, she was ruled out of India’s victorious U19 Women’s T20 World Cup campaign due to injury. Gala also said that being left out of the U-19 World Cup, it is a bit difficult to come out of it, however she is proud of herself for being selected for the Women’s Primer League and being a member of the respected team of this tournament.
“I am very excited to be a part of first-ever Women’s Premier League and also for the games which are going to come up. To be in the Gujarat Giants team, it is a very big thing for me. I am also happy that being a Gujarati, I am in this team. It’s a very good opportunity for youngsters like us that a very big platform like WPL is given.”
“When I was ruled out of World Cup (U19 Women’s T20 World Cup) in South Africa, that was a very difficult part for me. But then I knew I will come back and now I am back stronger by practising hard,” said Hurley to IANS in an exclusive chat facilitated by the franchise.”
It’s impressive to hear that at just 16 years old, Hurley had already picked up seven wickets in four matches against the New Zealand Development team and had a strike rate above 140 through middle-order cameos. It seems like she has a lot of potential as a cricketer.
It’s interesting to hear that Hurley’s introduction to cricket was coincidental, and that she started off as a skater. It’s not uncommon for athletes to have a background in multiple sports, and it’s possible that her experience in skating has helped her develop skills that are transferable to cricket.
It’s also noteworthy that Hurley received coaching from Ivan Rodrigues, the father of Jemimah Rodrigues, who is a well-known Indian cricketer. It’s always beneficial for young athletes to have access to experienced coaches who can help them develop their skills and reach their full potential.
“First I used to skate. But then I got an ankle injury and had to be out of it. I then discovered cricket and began playing tennis-ball tournaments. My father then realised that I have the talent in me to play cricket and began playing cricket properly when I was 13.”
Such was Hurley’s strong quest of regular game time that she had no qualms in switching schools in Mumbai. “I was studying in Utpal Shanghvi Global School. But they didn’t have a girls cricket team and I tried making a team of girls for cricket, but it didn’t happen. I then moved to St. Columba at Grant Road. There, they had a girls cricket team, and then the school matches happened, which helped me.”
When Hurley took to cricket, it was around that time when pace bowling great Jhulan Goswami was still going strong and became her inspirational figure to look up to in the sport.
“I love the way Jhulan Goswami used to bowl as she was a pacer herself – her speed, line and length, the swing and the processes she followed in terms of her workouts and fitness.”
When the WPL player auction was on, Hurley remembers watching the auction with her family, a day when her father Tanmay turned a year older too. On being picked by Gujarat for INR 10 lakh, it was double the celebration in her household.
“I was watching the auction with my family members. When my name came, I was eager to know and when I got selected, the atmosphere with my family members was very good. The support from family has been in full. When I got selected for WPL, my sister started crying, even my mum, dad and grandfather.”
Having reached this far and overcoming a setback, Hurley is now eager to evolve as a player through her time with the Gujarat side in the WPL. “The practices are going very good. As players, we all are just enjoying whatever it is, like warm-up, cool-down, and the practice nets, apart from cheering up each other.”
“As all senior players are there and we are young, they are helping us very well with small points, like what we have to do to be better and how to bowl too. Like, whatever is needed in practice sessions and whatever problems we face in practice sessions, I get to solve it from them (the coaching staff).”
Also Read: WPL 2023: Gujarat Giants Full Squads and Match Schedule, Captain, Possible Playing XI.
