The first scoring stroke nearly always reveals a cricketer’s mental state. It was a picture-perfect cover drive for Shubha Satheesh, who had only 83 minutes to absorb her thoughts and feelings since obtaining her India cap. Lauren Bell bowled a full length outside off, allowing India’s first three debutants to lean into a drive straight out of any batting manual – a big forward stride, bending her back knee, head in the line of the ball as she creamed it through point, holding the pose for the photographers. Shubha wasn’t showing any signs of nervousness as well.

The 24-year-old was at her most assured throughout the next 120 minutes. The same cannot be said for the time she handled broadcast and media inquiries simultaneously, complete with uncomfortable laughter and awkward mike checks. Among a series of fifties and a 49 from the new India skipper, Shubha’s 69 stood out for a number of reasons.

The Karnataka and Railways opener had likely secured the coveted one-down place on Test debut due to her left-handedness, having been sent out tactically to preserve a left-right combo in the middle following the early wicket of Smriti Mandhana. Shubha looked every inch the part, whether by chance or intent. She seemed to be following a script from years of excellent white-ball experience.

Except that, unlike the other players who piled on runs at the DY Patil Stadium on Thursday, this was Shubha’s first day as an India cricketer and she had a great time foiling England’s plans on a wicket devoid of demons. Shubha’s body language did not indicate as much even though she had no prior experience to draw on against a seasoned bowling attack.
Shubha, known in domestic circles for her superb technique, impeccable footwork, and tendency to accumulate runs for pleasure, put it all on display as she navigated the fire of Bell and Lauren Filer, or the experience of the Kate Cross, Sophie Ecclestone, and Nat Sciver-Brunt three. A comparable full ball around off from Cross had resulted in yet another scenic off-drive. Ecclestone, the world’s number one bowler in both limited-overs forms, was greeted with a beautiful punch through the covers. Another highlight was the flawless straight drive blasted past Cross to finish with a 49-ball fifty. As a matter of fact, 50 of the 76 deliveries Shubha faced were dots, but her strike-rate of 90+ and the team’s scoring rate, which remained just below five until her dismissal, set the tone for India’s dominance as the captain advocated an attacking approach the night before.
Shubha’s batting was not without chances. There were edges that, happily for her, avoided the slip cordon, bouncers flung at her five-foot frame, and physical condition tested in the sun. Nonetheless, her sense of line and length remained superb. Her assured presence at one end, immediately after India had dropped to 47/2 in the ninth over after a relatively slick start, let Jemimah Rodrigues – fellow rookie and her partner in the 115-run stand – to settle in before hitting high gear as well. From then on, runs began to flow just as easily, and India responded dramatically, taking control with the help of two debutants.

Life had taken a 180-degree turn in the last six months for the small Mysore-born, who had moved to Bangalore in quest of work. However, for someone who had spent nearly half her life playing age-group and state cricket, the Railways payment was just the beginning. Her patience and calmness were on full display in her two superb knocks of 99 and 49 for India A against the senior Indian team in the sole four-day practice game on the fringes of the NCA camp last month, and she piqued the selectors’ interest. The India call-up was quickly followed by a WPL contract from Royal Challengers Bangalore. Then came the icing on the cake: an unexpected red-ball debut as India sought better team balance.
Shubha’s Test debut had it everything, from soaking in the accolades during the cap presentation to absorbing all of the tension the hosts were placed under within the first 30 minutes to finally receiving a standing ovation for India’s quickest fifty on debut. Years of quiet toil had paid off, and the unassuming was ‘living a dream’.