Facing the superstars of India at the Women\u2019s Asia Cup might be a daunting prospect for the young cricketers of the UAE women\u2019s team. Were it not for the fact they have already been there, done that, and beaten them at Jenga.<\/p>\n
Back in 2024, a national team packed with teen talent was soundly beaten by the Indians, who were on their way in the continent\u2019s top competition in Sri Lanka.<\/p>\n
In the meantime, Harmanpreet Kaur\u2019s side have soared to even greater heights<\/a>. India won the 50 over World Cup last year, and are looking to add the T20 version in the UK this summer.<\/p>\n The likes of Jemimah Rodrigues<\/a>, Deepti Sharma and Shafali Verma have seen their celebrity skyrocket. Smriti Mandhana, meanwhile, has just been named in Time magazine\u2019s list of the 100 most influential people in sport, alongside the likes of Lionel Messi<\/a>. <\/p>\n Later this year, potentially in the UAE, India will bid to defend their Asia Cup. The UAE have qualified<\/a>, via the ACC Premier Cup in Malaysia this month.<\/p>\n Clearly, they will be up against it if they face the mighty Indians again, but they are looking forward to the challenge.<\/p>\n \u201cThose experiences make it more motivating than intimidating,\u201d said Vaishnave Mahesh, the UAE leg-spinner.<\/p>\n \u201cThe last Asia Cup gave us the chance to spend time with some of the Indian players away from the field.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat stood out most was the chance to understand how they approach the game. As a group, we were able to ask questions, talk cricket, and learn about their mindset, preparation and routines.<\/p>\n \u201cThose kinds of conversations give you a different perspective and help you understand what it takes to perform consistently at the highest level.\u201d<\/p>\n The opportunity to peek behind the celebrity and see the human also helped, according to Vaishnave.<\/p>\n \u201cThere were also some more relaxed moments where we got the chance to get to know them on a personal level,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n \u201cWe played Jenga, had coffee, and had conversations that had nothing to do with cricket. Experiences like that remind you that the players you watch on television are people just like us.<\/p>\n \u201cBut once you step on to the field, all of that disappears and the competitor in you takes over. Once you understand the work, discipline and mindset that goes into performing at that level, it makes you want to challenge yourself against the very best and see where your own game stands.\u201d<\/p>\n The national team will not be making up the numbers when they play at the Asia Cup.<\/p>\n \u201cQualifying is a great achievement and something we’re proud of, but the ambition doesn’t just stop there,\u201d Vaishnave said.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have all worked incredibly hard to get to this stage, and now it’s about making the most of the opportunity in front of us.<\/p>\n \u201cThere’s a line from the movie 83 [which is based on the India men’s side winning the 1983 World Cup]: \u2018We’re here to win. What else are we here for?\u2019 I think that captures the mindset perfectly.<\/p>\n \u201cEveryone in the team understands the quality of the opposition. The goal is simple: play fearless cricket, give 200 per cent, and display the will to win.\u201d<\/p>\n Vaishnave juggles her cricket with studying commerce at Manipal Academy of Higher Education in Dubai. She has plans to pursue a professional qualification in finance, but her main focus at present remains cricket.<\/p>\n That means trying to help the rapidly developing UAE side play at cricket\u2019s biggest competitions, while also targeting selection for franchise tournaments like the WPL, BBL and the Hundred.<\/p>\n