Kranti Gaud Exclusive: Village roots, World Cup glory, father's honour and a Hardik Pandya dream

NEW DELHI: As you enter Ghuwara village in Madhya Pradesh and ask for Kranti Gaud, people will happily point the way, saying, "World Cup jita hai jisne." They will guide you straight to the doorstep of the all-rounder who has become the pride of the village. Even before the World Cup triumph, Kranti had begun carving a name for herself, but that historic victory transformed her into a household name.



Today, her story is spoken of in every corner of Ghuwara.




India’s title-winning victory over South Africa etched Kranti’s name into history, making her a permanent part of the country’s World Cup folklore.


The celebrations, however, came with responsibilities. Among the many boxes Kranti hoped to tick after the World Cup, the most personal was helping her father reclaim his lost job. Her father, Munna Singh, a police constable, had been suspended from service years ago due to certain reasons. It took 13 long years for him to regain his honour until Kranti’s success opened a door they had been waiting on.


Kranti raised the issue during a felicitation ceremony when she met Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav. She requested his intervention, and the Chief Minister assured the World Cup-winning star that her father’s case would be addressed.


“The letter is yet to arrive. His job letter will come soon. It may take a little time, but it will come very soon. I am really thankful to God for all this. I’m happy that he will get his police uniform back,” Kranti told TimesofIndia.com in an exclusive interview.


“My parents have supported me immensely throughout my cricketing journey. I always played with boys, often older than me, and that’s how I learned the game. People used to question it, but my parents always backed me. I come from a small village, but the support and mindset my parents had were huge for me. Whatever I am today is only because of them,” she said.

“After winning the World Cup, a lot has changed in my life. People who earlier believed that girls cannot do certain things have now started believing that girls can do anything. There is a lot of change happening around,” Kranti added.


“I always wanted to be a cricketer. There was a ground in front of my house where boys used to play. Whenever the ball came to our side, I would pick it up and return it, and slowly I started getting interested. I would go and try batting with them, but initially I didn’t know much. So the boys made me do only fielding and didn’t allow me to bat or bowl. Over time, by staying with them and learning, I picked up bowling. I kept watching them and started copying what they did to learn how to bowl,” she said.


'MEETING PANDYA A DREAM'

Kranti has long admired India’s all-rounder Hardik Pandya. After the World Cup triumph, one of her photos went viral as she recreated Pandya’s iconic victory pose with the trophy in hand.


Now, her dream is to meet Pandya in person.

“Hardik Pandya has always been my favourite. I used to watch his videos and matches. When he commented on my photo, I couldn’t believe it for two hours. I was very happy. I haven’t spoken to him yet or met him, but I really wish to meet him soon,” Kranti said.


At the WPL 2026 auction, Kranti was bought by the UP Warriorz. She will play for the franchise for a second consecutive season, having been secured for Rs 50 lakh after the team exercised its Right-to-Match (RTM) card.


“I was watching the auction and really wanted to play for UP Warriorz. I hoped the Warriorz would pick me again, and they did. I was very happy. I want to give my best for the team and become part of a title-winning side this time around,” Kranti signed off.




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