The Women’s Premier League (WPL), launched in 2023, is a stage where talent and opportunity converge, evident in the youngsters it has spotlighted. Female cricketers, even as young as 16, are now earning a living while playing the sport they love. The youngest ever WPL player, G. Kamalini, recently debuted for the Mumbai Indians. On her debut, Kamalini struck a boundary off the first ball she faced. Let’s take a look at the youngest players to debut in the WPL.
1) G. Kamalini – 16 years 213 days
G. Kamalini became the youngest debutant in WPL history when she was named in the Mumbai Indians’ playing XI on February 18 for their match against Gujarat Giants at the Baroda Cricket Association Stadium in Vadodara. Debuting at 16 years and 213 days, Kamalini broke the previous record held by Shabnam Shakil, who debuted at 16 years and 263 days. A member of the U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup 2025-winning Indian team, Kamalini hails from Madurai, Tamil Nadu, and was roped in by Mumbai for INR 1.6 crore at the WPL 2025 auction.
2) Shabnam Shakil – 16 years 263 days
Shabnam Shakil, a member of India’s U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup 2023-winning squad, joined Gujarat Giants for INR 10 lakh. At just 16, Shabnam caught everyone’s attention with her figures of 3/11 against UP Warriorz in WPL 2024, including the prized wickets of Alyssa Healy and Chamari Athapaththu. She has taken four WPL wickets in total and has since delivered impressive performances for India U-19. The right-arm medium pacer is poised to make a bigger impact in WPL 2025.
3) Parshavi Chopra – 16 years 312 days
Parshavi Chopra was secured for her base price of INR 10 lakh by UP Warriorz at the inaugural WPL auction. The leg-spin all-rounder rose to fame during the 2023 ICC Women’s U-19 T20 World Cup, where she finished as the second-highest wicket-taker with 11 wickets from six innings, helping India secure the title. Initially a medium pacer, Parshavi switched to leg spin, inspired by Shane Warne. Her flight, spin, and googlies were on full display during the U-19 World Cup. At just 16, Parshavi has already taken three wickets in four WPL innings, making the league a significant learning curve in her career.
4) Alice Capsey – 18 years 205 days
Alice Capsey was roped in by Delhi Capitals for INR 30 lakh at the inaugural WPL auction, outbidding Mumbai Indians. On the same day, Capsey smashed the joint-fastest fifty in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, off just 21 balls. Already a mainstay in England’s limited-overs setup at 20 years old, Capsey has showcased her all-round abilities in the WPL. She has amassed 405 runs across 18 matches and taken 11 wickets since the league’s inception, solidifying her reputation as a future superstar.
5) Joshitha V J – 18 years 206 days
Emerging from India’s U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup 2025-winning squad, Joshitha was snapped up by RCB for INR 10 lakh. The 18-year-old fast-bowling all-rounder from Wayanad, Kerala, impressed in the U-19 World Cup with her ability to take crucial wickets while maintaining an economical rate. While she has yet to make her mark in the WPL, expectations are high for Joshitha to deliver impactful performances as her journey unfolds.
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