Chandigarh, April 17 -- The seam-bowling all-rounder, Kashvee Gautam, stands on the brink of her T20I debut as India begin a five-match series from April 17 to 25 across Durban and Johannesburg-vital preparation ahead of the ICC Women's T20I World Cup in England, where both India and South Africa are in Group A. At the age of 22, her ascent has been steady, occasionally interrupted by injury, but always anchored in resilience. Gautam's inclusion adds depth to an Indian side that has leaned heavily on Deepti Sharma as its most consistent all-rounder in recent years. A lively seamer who can finish games with the bat, the Chandigarh player sees the moment as both validation and a fresh starting point. "It is always a dream come true when you play for India. Selectors have shown faith in me. I have to now contribute in all formats and make an impact. I need to play positive cricket going forward and make India win many matches," she says. The T20I call-up was widely anticipated, but Gautam is clear about keeping things simple. "Be it finishing matches, picking up wickets or getting crucial breakthroughs," she says, outlining her role with clarity rather than clutter. Switching formats in quick succession can be demanding, but Gautam leans on preparation and match simulation to bridge the gaps. "Mindset and tempo changes. In Tests you have time - in both batting and bowling, it's about discipline. In ODIs, it's different. In T20I, one has to be proactive and one step ahead. Gautam showed off her all-round prowess on the Australia tour delivering with the ball and handling Australia bowlers with confidence scoring useful knocks. For Gautam, balance begins with the basics. "Base has to be good. Training has to be spot on. I'm feeling fit and strong. Skills are also important - whether it's learning variations or working on shots," she says. The emphasis on repeatable processes shows in her numbers too - 19 wickets in 18 WPL matches for Gujarat Giants, and steady progress since her ODI debut against Sri Lanka in April 2025, followed by a Test cap in Perth. Gautam traces a path through domestic cricket, high-performance camps, and the WPL. "I made my base in domestic cricket, played a lot, did well and showed consistency. Setbacks, she adds, were as instructive as breakthroughs. "Injuries and tough phases gave me patience and discipline... just to keep doing the hard work. That has shaped my journey." Within the Indian dressing room, Gautam has been an attentive student. "The senior players and coaching staff. when I see them handle pressure, I learn a lot. Their consistency has helped me. I ask them a lot of questions-it makes a big difference," she says, having played six ODIs and one Test for India. Missing out on the last ODI World Cup due to injury has sharpened her focus. "It was disappointing, but it motivated me to come back stronger. Now my focus is on staying fit. If I get selected, I would love to contribute in a big tournament like the T20I World Cup and emerge as an impact player," she says....