Hit, treat, repeat: Natthakan Chantham bleeds to perfect idol Suryakumar Yadav’s 'Supla' shot | EXCLUSIVE

NEW DELHI — Thailand opener Natthakan Chantham has turned the nets into her personal laboratory of pain, absorbing bruises and blood in a single-minded quest to replicate the audacious scoop her idol Suryakumar Yadav has made famous. The shot—dropping to one knee to flick the ball high over fine leg or square leg—has left her with purple welts and bandaged joints, yet Chantham keeps padding up, demanding another round of throw-downs.

“I got hit many times, sometimes bled too, while trying to perfect that shot, but I never gave up,” the 28-year-old told TimesofIndia.com in an exclusive chat ahead of the ACC Women’s Asia Cup Rising Stars 2026 that begins Friday in Bangkok. “He plays with so much freedom and without any pressure; you can’t see any fear in his eyes. I am also an attacking batter. I like stepping out of the crease and taking the game on.”

Known in the Thailand dressing room as “Jeans” for her relaxed demeanour off the field, Chantham will unleash the full array of Surya-inspired strokes when her side faces Malaysia in Saturday’s tournament opener. Eight teams—India, Pakistan, UAE, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Malaysia and hosts Thailand—are split into two groups, with India entering as defending champions after beating Bangladesh in the 2023 final.

Chantham’s initiation to cricket was accidental: a plastic bat in the family yard at age nine. Her father, a schoolteacher, initially pushed academics but relented once her obsession became undeniable. “My mother runs a beauty parlour. I just want to go out there and win this tournament for both of them,” she said.

Across 114 T20Is and 14 ODIs, the right-hander has built a reputation for fearless ball-striking. Should she finally meet Suryakumar, her request is simple: “Please give me your bat,” she laughed.

All matches of the Asia Cup Women’s Rising Stars 2026 will be telecast live on the Sony Sports network.