Kasturi Kolte - take life as it comes

Paul Ryan | October 04, 2023

Kasturi Kolte lives in Pune, Maharashtra, India and has worked in IT for the past 15 years.

Kasturi is a very passionate sports fan and loves cricket. She has played in India and in the United Kingdom during her time studying in Birmingham.

Let’s find out more about Kasturi journey in cricket

 

What year you were born?

1984

Can you remember you first game of cricket?

I have been playing cricket since I was 5 years old and have been playing with boys in the neighbourhood. But my first actual game was during my college years where I participated in the inter-college tournament. Our team won the game, and I scored some crucial 40 odd runs. I remember the fielding for this match was special as I was standing in the 1st slip and had taken a diving catch which the audience remembered for a few years and a couple of wickets too.

Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?

My actual cricket journey started when I participated in the inter-college tournament. An existing state level player was also part of the team and noticed my game and asked me to come for the selection trials for the upcoming state level tournament. I went and played my best in the nets in those few balls and was selected. And then continued playing for the state for a few years until I went to the UK for my post-graduation from University of Birmingham. I found out about the team there and enrolled and played part of the university in different competitions, our practice ground being Edgbaston. Post my one-year course was completed I apply to different clubs and got into the Blackheath club where I played multiple matches in the UK. Apart from that I also participated in private tournaments in India where some of ex-state players formed the team and participated in the same.

In which grade and at what age did you make your debut in senior cricket?

I was in my first-year graduation when I made the debut at 19 years old.

What was the highest grade you played, and can you remember how you performed in your first game in that grade?

State level was the highest grade I played as the state association is affiliated to BCCI. I performed decently I believed overall.

If you can share with our audience, how would you describe yourself as a cricketer?

I would consider myself as an allrounder.

I used to bat at the top of the order mainly during club tournaments in the UK.

Who was the best fast bowlers you have played against?

There were quite a few really good bowlers in different teams that I played against one of them being Jhulan Goswami. Played against her a few times. She was very tall and her jump before bowling the ball was significant which made the ball come from a height. She had great accuracy and control on the seam and the movement of the ball which made difficult to play. She ended up playing for India being the fastest bowler. There were other bowlers too that played in domestic games which had great ability to swing the ball with perfect follow through.

Jhulan Goswami

Who were the best three spinners you have played against? 

From what I remember Poonam Raut (former India player), Kiran (domestic) were amongst the best.

Who were the best 2 batters you’ve played against?

Mithali Raj – She has always been an inspiration to the young and old and me when I started playing. She had the best technique with batting along with determination of scoring every time she came to bat.

Harmanpreet Kaur (Current captain of India) – played against her when she used to play for domestic cricket. She always carried a great confidence and the perfect body language required for a batsman. She had aggression in her batting which she maintained throughout making the bowlers nervous

Harmanpreet Kaur

Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?

Shweta Jadhav (former India player) 

Who was the best wicket keeper you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?

Anagha Deshpande (former India player and current coach for state team) was the best wicket keeper as she had maximum reach to the ball and was flexible.

Who are the two players you admired most in terms of skills and competitive spirit in the competitions you played?

Mithali Raj and Smriti Mandhana

Mithali Raj

Who has been your funniest team mate?

Well quite a few, but Mihira and Shweta were the funniest and had great sense of humour. It released the pressure for us. I was also termed as the funny one.

Who was your childhood hero?

Sachin Tendulkar as I grew up watching him play. Watching his old matches with best innings still gives me goosebumps.

Sachin Tendulkar

What was your favourite ground to play at?

Edgbaston (UK) and Gahunje (Pune) both international level

What there a particular team you especially looked forward to playing against?

I always looked forward to playing against the Air India and Railways teams. These players were amongst the candidates to be picked up for the India team. Although we never really won against these teams, but the class of cricket was extra-ordinary and was such a treat to watch the techniques, the class of these players and learn from them.

What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?

My century during club cricket in the UK where I also opened the batting.

What’s the best win you’ve been involved with?

My century during club cricket in the UK where the team needed me and I could live up the expectations

Who are the three sports people in the world you’d most like to meet?

Mutthiah Murlitharan – Great bowling style with ability to be deceptive

Novac Djokovic- For being so fit and consistent of all. Strong headed and focused

Suryakumar Yadav – Aggression and ability to hit the shots in all 360 degrees.

Mutthiah Murlitharan

Who are the three players from your playing days at the top of the list for a Saturday afternoon barbeque?

Niyati, Mihira and Shweta

What are your hobbies?

I love riding bikes. I own a KTM Duke 200 and planning to buy a new JAWA bike. I also love travelling a lot and exploring new countries and their cultures. Have travelled to many countries and the recent was to Turkey in June this year.

What’s the best advice you’ve received?

‘Take life as it comes’ – which is now my life motto

Are you still involved in cricket and if so, in what capacity?

Yes, I am still involved. I am the selector with Maharashtra Cricket Association for the Maharashtra state senior Under 23 and Under 19 teams

Also member of the Indian Cricketers Association

Kasturi Kolte in the nets

If you were running a state cricket association what would your 2 priorities to ensure cricket in the state remained strong and successful on and off the field?

Talent and Youth development.

I feel that not all the talented players have visibility to make it to the respective city clubs or academies. Would work on this to make sure all the young talent is identified through professional scouting and have access to the right facilities and training programs. Investing time in the young talent is necessary to have vision for future cricket for the state and helping find the right talent of cricket players to be able to pursue their passion for cricket and develop as players.

Leverage on ex-players and hire best coaches.

Coaching and training camps will help this young talent and existing players excel in the game and eventually the state will be successful and remain strong with great talent. This would help to create avenues for former players who can work with the existing players and young talent on mentoring, guiding, coaching, and training. This could also be useful in the player’s welfare and development.