Born on 27 May 2002, Nensi Hiteshkumar Patel is an Indian born cricketer who has made a significant mark in New Zealand. Playing as a right-arm off-break bowler, she represents the New Zealand national team and plays domestic cricket for Northern Districts. She started her journey at a very young age. Her T20 debut came on 25 November 2016 against Auckland, and she made her List A debut the very next day against the same opponent.
Patel quickly developed into a reliable wicket taker for Northern Districts in both the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield and the Super Smash. The 2021 to 2022 season was a major turning point in her career. She took her first five-wicket haul on 5 February 2022, claiming 5 for 46 against Canterbury. Just two weeks later on 19 February, she bettered that performance by taking 6 for 25 against Auckland to record her second five-wicket haul. She finished that incredible season as the leading wicket-taker in the competition with 18 wickets at an average of 17.83.
Her outstanding domestic form did not go unnoticed by the selectors. In June 2022, she was rewarded with her very first central contract by New Zealand Cricket for the upcoming season. However, she had to wait patiently for her chance to play on the international stage. She spent the next few years grinding away in domestic tournaments and working hard on her skills. Throughout 2024 and 2025, she remained a consistent threat for Northern Districts and constantly knocked on the door of the national selectors with her economical bowling.
The hard work and years of waiting finally paid off for Patel in early 2026. She was called up to the national squad for the Zimbabwe tour of New Zealand. In February 2026, she made her long-awaited international debut and played in both the ODI and T20I matches during the series. Having firmly established herself as an international player, she looks forward to a long and successful career representing New Zealand at the highest level.
