From starting out as a pace bowler, Proteas’ capped Seshnie Naidu wants to stamp her mark on the women’s U19 T20 World Cup with her leg-break spin.

The 19-year-old goes into the Malaysian-hosted world cup, which starts on Saturday, January 18, with senior team experience in her quiver.

Naidu played in the T20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates last year and a T20 tour of Pakistan.

The future of South African cricket is here! 🇿🇦🔥

Our SA U19 Women’s team is ready to light up Malaysia as they kick off their ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup 2025 campaign on 18 Jan!

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Born in Durban, Naidu’s cricketing direction took a turn when she met U19 head coach Dinesha Devnarain, who has served as her mentor in many ways.

“I started playing cricket in primary school and that’s where I learnt what hard ball cricket was and how it was played.

“I started playing cricket at the age of seven and my parents had always been by my side throughout this journey.

“The ⁠younger me was a pace bowler until I was 13, when I met coach Dinesha and at the Under 13 KZN week where I was changed to a leg spinner and she has helped a lot with my leg spin and also understanding the game,” said Naidu.

“⁠I changed to spin because when I used to bowl pace I had a leg spin action and I always bowled back of the hand and coach Dinesha had a look at my act and from then I’ve been working on my leg spin.

“Coach Dinesha has always helped me with skills as well as my head space.”

With her parents, friends and extended family excited to see her represent South Africa at an international stage, Naidu said she is looking forward to competing against the best under 19’s in the world.

“I’m definitely going to have a lot more experience going into this World Cup because I’ve been at the (senior) women’s World Cup and there was a lot to learn from.

“My personal goal is to be the best leg spinner at this World Cup and bring home the cup and also represent my country,” said Naidu.

Head coach Devnarain said it has been a pleasure watching Naidu grow in the game, and said she has developed a close relationship with the spinner.

She said Naidu’s development, however, is no accident, as the coaching staff have put an “incredible amount of work into young talent”, including the likes of Naidu and Karabo Meso to name a few.

“I first met Seshnie when she was 9, so we go back a bit and have even developed a sort of friendship over the years,” Devnarain said.

“It's not just about cricket with the girls, we also talk about life and I like to think I played some positive impact in her development.

“From starting out as a pace bowler, I knew she needed a change and one day I asked her if she was willing to bowl spin.

“With some guidance and a lot of training, Seshnie has grown into a cricketer with the potential to be a legend of the game”