Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 special: Sameeksha Takke has every reason to rejoice as she has returned from England after covering the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, carrying memories that she will cherish forever.
In an exclusive conversation with Filmibeat Assistant Editor Abhishek Ranjit, Sameeksha opened up about the emotional moments that stayed with her during the Women’s T20 World Cup 2026. She also got candid about collaborating with some of the biggest names in women’s cricket, like Radha Yadav and Harmanpreet Kaur.
The content creator and former national-level athlete described her experience as surreal and deeply personal, as she got the opportunity to report on one of the biggest tournaments in women’s cricket.
Here are excerpts from the interview-
1. You’ve just returned from covering the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 in England. What was the overall experience like for you?
It still hasn’t sunk in, honestly. As someone who has played cricket growing up, getting the opportunity to cover a World Cup was incredibly special. There were moments where I’d just stop, look around the stadium and think, “Wow… this is actually my job.”
More than creating content, I was grateful that I could play a small part in bringing more people closer to women’s cricket. If even a few people started following the tournament because of my videos, that’s a huge win for me.
2. As a former national-level athlete and cricketer, how did this assignment differ from your previous cricket-related work?
Being a cricketer definitely changed my perspective. I understand the work that goes in before people see those two hours on television. The sacrifices, the pressure, the bad days… I’ve experienced a small part of that myself. So instead of only asking about performances, I found myself wanting to know the stories behind the players. I think that’s where I connected with them the most.
3. Having trained at grounds associated with legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Ajinkya Rahane, how has your cricketing foundation influenced your approach to storytelling?
Cricket has shaped who I am. Growing up in Mumbai cricket teaches you discipline, patience and respect for the game. That has stayed with me, even as a content creator. When I speak to players, I don’t look at them as celebrities. I look at them as fellow cricketers who have their own journey. I think that helps me have more genuine conversations
4. What was your vision when you set out to cover the Women’s T20 World Cup differently from traditional sports coverage?
I didn’t want people to just remember the score. I wanted them to remember the people behind it. I wanted to tell people why they should care.
I’ve always believed that sport becomes bigger when you connect with the human being before the athlete. We celebrate centuries and wickets, but there are years of sacrifice, homesickness, injuries, self-doubt and resilience behind every single performance.
My vision was to bridge that gap. I wanted someone who had never watched women’s cricket to watch one reel and think, “I want to support her.” Because once you start rooting for the person, you’ll automatically start following the sport. If my content can make even one young girl pick up a bat, or make one family sit together and watch women’s cricket, I think I’ve done my job.
5. Among your conversations with Jemimah Rodrigues, Ellyse Perry and other stars, was there a moment that particularly resonated with you?
Honestly, what stayed with me was how humble everyone was. No matter how big the player, everyone was so kind with their time and so open to conversations. Those little off-camera moments, the laughs in between takes, checking if everyone was comfortable… those are the memories I’ll take back with me.
6. You were present at Edgbaston for the much-anticipated India-Pakistan match. How would you describe the atmosphere in the stadium?
There’s honestly nothing like an India-Pakistan game. You could feel the excitement from outside the stadium itself.
And when the national anthem played… that was my favourite moment. As someone who has represented the game at a different level, those moments hit differently.
7. You collaborated with players such as Harmanpreet Kaur, Radha Yadav, Hayley Matthews, Lauren Bell and Shreyanka Patil. Which collaboration was the most challenging and which was the most fun?
Every collaboration meant something different to me. With Harmanpreet Kaur, it was about revisiting memories that many people had never heard before. Radha Yadav and Jemimah Rodrigues were extra special because I’ve shared the ground with them during our cricketing days. So there was a comfort and understanding that naturally reflected in our conversations.
Hayley Matthews and Lauren Bell brought such fun energy, while Shreyanka Patil was full of positivity throughout.
Honestly, the biggest challenge was making sure every interaction felt authentic. I never wanted players to feel like they were doing another routine interview. I wanted every conversation to feel personal, different and something they’d genuinely enjoy being a part of.
8. After documenting the Women’s T20 World Cup, what’s next for Sameeksha Takke? Do you see yourself expanding beyond cricket into other sports and storytelling formats?
Cricket will always be home for me. Right now, all my focus is on Team India. I’m heading to watch the India vs Australia match, and I’m just hoping the girls keep doing what they’ve been doing. Like every Indian fan, I’m going to be screaming from the stands and wishing they bring the trophy home.
But my audience also knows one thing about me when cricket comes into my life, everything else automatically takes a back seat. Not because it has to… but because that’s what this sport means to me. Cricket has shaped so much of who I am today. Every opportunity ..I get to be around the game still feels personal. As for me, yes, you’ll continue seeing my comedy, fashion, lifestyle, travel and everyday content because that’s who I am beyond cricket.
I definitely want to explore other sports too. I played baseball Softball at the national level, so that’s another sport that’s very close to my heart. Covering a FIFA World Cup is honestly one of my biggest dreams, and if one day I get the chance to tell stories from the world of baseball as well, I’d absolutely love that.
At the end of the day, I don’t just want people to remember me as someone who made funny videos or covered matches. I hope people remember me as someone who made sports feel a little more personal… someone who helped audiences discover the people behind the athletes. If I can do that, I’ll feel like I’m on the right path.
