After nearly ten years of committed service to USA Cricket, Sindhu Sriharsha has made the decision to retire from international cricket. A key player on the USA Women’s National Team since 2015, the wicketkeeper-batter leaves behind a remarkable legacy characterized by her leadership, resilience, and substantial contributions to the sport.
Sriharsha’s international cricket career commenced with her debut in 2015, where she played two T20 matches against Pakistan. She later made her ODI debut against Papua New Guinea in April 2024, accumulating a total of seven ODIs during her career.
Throughout these matches, she scored 200 runs, with a top score of 69. In T20 internationals, she excelled as a steady performer, accumulating 530 runs from 32 games, which included three fifties, with her best being an unbeaten 74. Her final international match was in October 2024 against Zimbabwe, marking the end of her distinguished playing career.
Originally from Bangalore, India, Sriharsha’s passion for cricket has been evident since her childhood. She began playing seriously at the age of nine after being noticed by former Indian cricketer Smitha Harikrishna. Prior to representing the USA, she had already played for India A and the India Under-21 teams.
Her leadership skills were recognized early on when she was appointed captain of the USA Women’s National Team in 2017, during a pivotal transitional phase before USA Cricket received official recognition from the ICC in 2019.
Under her captaincy, the USA secured victories in the ICC T20 World Cup Americas Region Qualifiers in 2019, 2021, and 2023, which facilitated their entry into three consecutive ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifiers.
One of her standout performances was during the 2022 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier in Abu Dhabi, where she delivered a spectacular unbeaten 74 runs against Bangladesh, demonstrating her ability to stabilize an innings under pressure.
As she steps away from international cricket, Sriharsha took a moment to reflect on her career and expressed her appreciation for those who supported her throughout her journey.
“I want to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt gratitude to my family, who have stood by me through thick and thin, supporting me in balancing two careers,” she stated.
She also conveyed her thanks to the mentors who helped shape her into the cricketer and leader she has become.
“To the coaches who have shaped me into the person I am today and continue to be lifelong mentors—thank you for your lasting impact.”
Recognizing the strong connections she forged with her teammates, she added, “To my teammates over the past decade, with whom I share incredible memories and from whom I have learned and grown alongside, I am deeply grateful.”
Beyond the cricket field, the support of the wider cricket community significantly impacted her career.
“Lastly, I want to acknowledge the broader USA cricket community. Your support has kept me grounded and motivated to keep the spark alive over the years. I look forward to staying connected and continuing to contribute to the cricketing journey in the USA.”
As she says goodbye to international cricket, Sriharsha remains hopeful about the future of the sport in the USA.
“I am incredibly grateful to USA Cricket for the opportunity to lead and represent the national team. It has been an absolute privilege to contribute to the growth of women’s cricket in the United States,” she remarked.
With her extensive experience, leadership skills, and deep passion for the game, Sriharsha is poised to continue making a difference, even away from the pitch. While her time as a player has come to an end, her influence on USA Cricket is far from finished.
Image Source: Sindhu Sriharsha @ Instagram
