In a must‑win match during the T20 World Cup global qualifiers, the U.S. Women’s National Cricket Team needed composure, strategy, and execution under pressure. Sophomore mechanical engineering major Lekha Shetty brought all three, drawing on the same problem‑solving mindset she uses at George Mason University.
A pace bowler—cricket’s version of baseball’s pitcher—for Team USA, Shetty took three wickets while conceding just 29 runs, a dominant performance that earned her Player of the Match and pushed the United States into the Super Six round, keeping the team’s World Cup hopes alive.
For Shetty, that success reflects the same analytical approach she brings to mechanical engineering coursework in George Mason’s College of Engineering and Computing.
As a bowler, Shetty constantly evaluates conditions, adjusts strategy, and adapts in real time—skills that closely mirror engineering problem‑solving. “I’m kind of like the person who figures out what I want to do, or how to solve the problem,” she said. “You’re always trying to figure out how to get the batter out. You can’t just bowl the same ball over and over again. You need to have a little bit of variation.”
Shetty was first introduced to cricket at age 12 after attending a free trial session with a friend. What began as a casual interest quickly turned into a serious commitment, marked by early mornings and disciplined training. Reflecting on her high school years, she recalled, “Waking up at 5:00 a.m. to go to practice, alot of those days I did not want to get up, but I’m so happy that I did. Because it’s gotten me to this position.”
That discipline now defines both her athletic and academic life. Shetty is currently pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering while competing internationally with Team USA, a balance that demands careful time management and focus. “I practice at least five times a week,” she said. “That’s like two hours almost every day, and then on top of that, you need to keep in shape. Then the rest of the time it’s college or homework, or I’m eating my lunch or breakfast in the car.”
Shetty’s ability to manage time, think strategically, and perform under pressure underpins her success in both arenas. She was drawn to mechanical engineering through a CAD design class and a love of finding innovative solutions. On the field, she analyzes batters and adapts tactics. In the classroom, she applies that same analytical framework to engineering challenges.
She credits George Mason faculty with helping make that balance possible. “The professors are great,” she said. “They’re thankfully very understanding of my situation.”
With cricket set to appear in the 2028 Olympics, Shetty remains focused on growth in both her athletic and academic pursuits. “It’s a dream of mine to be an Olympic athlete,” she said.
Whether competing internationally or tackling complex coursework, Shetty applies the same focus, discipline, and problem‑solving mindset that define her as a George Mason engineer.