Nandhiga Pandian
What year were you born?
I was born in 2010.
Tell us about your cricket journey. Where did you start junior cricket and the clubs you’ve played for in senior cricket
I started my cricket journey in 2023, fresh into high school. I started off playing in the Thunder Girls league for Freemans Reach every Friday evening, which helped me understand the basics of cricket while giving me my first-ever match experiences. From there, I joined Jordan Springs Cricket Club and played a season in winter, and then I launched into under 12’s for the summer. I also played one season of Mollie Dive cricket for PJCA (now NDCA) and two seasons of Margaret Peden, while also joining Hills Barbarians Cricket Club to play Stage 3 afternoon cricket. Then I finally got into Penrith Cricket Club, which is where I played Brewer Shield for the 2025/2026 season.
If you can share with our readers how you would describe yourself as a cricketer? Batsman, bowler, allrounder, wicket keeper etc
As a cricketer I would describe myself as a bowling allrounder. I love bowling with the new ball, with the natural inswing to a rightie and outswing to a leftie that I get as a left-arm bowler.
What do you enjoy most about playing cricket?
The thing I enjoy the most about playing cricket is the feeling of my hard work paying off when I play a good shot or take a wicket. It makes me feel better and encourages me to put even more effort into my cricket.
What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket so far?
My most memorable moment in cricket so far was when I got my second half-century in a WSCA tournament with my Jordan Springs team. Our batting order had collapsed, and we needed to play out the innings safely while also scoring runs. I got sent in at 5, and stayed there for almost 25 overs, running with my other batters while scoring runs. It was an amazing feeling, lifting my bat as I felt proud to stand there and be a stable base for them.
Who’s your favourite all-time cricketer?
My favourite all-time cricketer is Mitchell Starc, because he’s an amazing fast bowler, and I’m left-handed, just like he is, which makes him my favourite cricketer as well as my role model.
Who is the fastest bowler you’ve played against?
The fastest bowler I’ve played against is Manorath Gill. She gets really good pace, and with the new ball, she’s honestly unstoppable. She gets amazing swing and pitches the ball in really good areas consistently.
Who is the best spinner you’ve played against?
The best spinner I’ve ever played against is Yashika Ramprasad. She turns the ball quite a bit and also lands it on some really good lengths. As well as this she doesn’t loop it too much, which makes it a little difficult to play.
Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
The best innings I’ve seen firsthand was when Will Watson scored a century in winter cricket. He stayed there, respected the good balls, kept a clear head and was able to cash in on the bad deliveries he received, and set a good, stable foundation for our team, which allowed us to come in later in the innings and score runs without having to worry about losing wickets.
Who is the best wicket keeper you’ve had the good fortune to play with?
The best wicketkeeper I’ve played with is Annabel Batty. Although I’ve only played one match with her, I’ve watched her practice her keeping during training sessions, and it’s really outstanding to watch.
Is there a player in your club you think is one to watch – someone who might go far?
Someone who should be watched in my club I believe is Mithula Venkatesh, as she’s really solid in her batting technique and is able to hit the ball extremely clean wherever she wants it to go. Her bowling is also really masterful as she has different variations (especially her slower ball that gets me every time) and gets good pace on the ball too.
Who are the two players you’ve come to admire most in your club in terms of skills and competitive spirit?
Two players in my club that I’ve come to admire the most in my club are Elise Noble and Matilda Lett. Elise is so skilled with her batting, and when we train outside in the turf nets I see her hit some huge shots, and her batting style is one I look up to. Matilda’s competitive spirit is one I look up to, as she never gives up and loses hope no matter what the game situation is. She’s also one of the people who celebrates the hardest whenever we get a wicket.
What are the two attributes you like to see in a captain and leader?
Two attributes I like to see in a captain and leader are clear-mindedness and confidence. Being clear-minded is something I feel is crucial, as being a leader also involves being a role model for the rest of your teammates, and setting a good example for them is important, especially during intense, high-pressure situations. Confidence is also really important, as it allows a leader to sell themselves and assert themselves properly.
Which singer/band would you like to see perform live?
The singer that I would love to see perform live is Yëat.
Favourite location, city or country as a holiday destination?
My favourite holiday destination is Singapore. The city has so many beautiful landmarks to visit. As well as this, the people there are extremely friendly and the population is so diverse as well.
Who’s been the biggest influence on your career so far?
The person with the biggest influence on my career is probably my dad. He’s the one who introduced me to cricket. I fell in love with the sport as well, and my dad has never complained about taking me to games far away, or trainings, or even spending his days in the sun while working on his laptop under a gazebo, just watching me play. He pushes me out of my comfort zone and encourages me to assert myself instead of going into my shell, and he has honestly been behind me every step of my cricket journey.
But I can’t just write about one person. My Brewer coaches, Dave and Glenn, have been watching me since I started playing cricket from Mollie Dive, and they helped me through my amateur start to the game. When I joined Jordan Springs, my team coach Sunil Chhabra believed in me and gave me opportunities to grow and learn. From there my coach Ryan Gibson has grown my batting technique along with my bowling, encouraging me when I’ve had a bad match and given me some of the best pep talks I’ve ever received in my life.
Where do you find inspiration that gets you through challenging times?
When I’m in a downhill phase with the ball or bat, I go back to my earlier seasons on PlayCricket and look though my scores and bowling average. I then look at my current season and compare the two, which gives me an insight into how much I’ve grown, which then pushes me to keep going and not to give up. On top of this, when I have training with my coach Ryan Gibson, he gives me inspiring stories about his cricketing journey, which makes me realise that difficult times happen to everyone, and that helps me pick myself back up.
Who are the three people in the world you’d love to meet and talk to?
The three people in the world that I’d love to meet and talk to are Mitchell Starc, Smriti Mandhana and the Weeknd.
What do you like to do to relax outside cricket?
Outside of cricket, I like to read or watch my favourite shows on the TV. I also love listening to music, and spending time with my older sister.
If working, what do you do and name of business (we will give them a plug), if at Uni what are you studying?
I am still in high school, so I’m working towards my goals and future career paths.
Do you have a favourite quote?
‘Your time is limited, so don’t waste it trying to live someone else’s life.’ – Steve Jobs
What are your goals for the next season?
My goals for the next season are to bat confidently and consistently, and hit the ball cleaner and harder. I want to improve my pace and variations I bowl.
Can we ask, what would it mean to you to play first class cricket?
To play first class cricket is a dream come true for me, which would prove to me that all the rough times and also great times were all worth it in the end, and will encourage me to continue working hard to shine in my cricket.
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