The Women’s Premier League (WPL) has rolled out an exciting new initiative aimed at transforming the future of Indian women’s fast bowling. Titled “WPL Speed Queen,” the nationwide talent hunt is designed to identify young pace bowlers and provide them with a rare opportunity to step into the WPL ecosystem.
Fast bowling has often been a missing piece in India’s women’s cricket setup. While spinners have dominated for years, the modern game demands bowlers who can generate pace, extract bounce, and trouble batters with movement. With major global tournaments on the horizon, including the upcoming T20I World Cup 2026 in England, the need to expand India’s pace depth has become urgent. The Speed Queen initiative arrives at exactly the right time.
The programme is open to Under-19 and Under-23 women bowlers, offering them a national platform to showcase their skills. Registration is simple and accessible to all; players can sign up online and upload a bowling video as per the provided guidelines.
What sets this initiative apart is its AI based screening system, which evaluates videos for speed, action, and potential before passing shortlisted entries to experienced coaches for review. This ensures a fair and objective first stage, especially for players from smaller towns who often lack visibility.
Shortlisted bowlers will then be called to participate in zone-based trials, where they will bowl in live conditions under expert supervision. The trials are spread across five zones covering 25 cities, making the process inclusive and truly pan India. The schedule begins with the Delhi Zone from January 5 to 11, followed by Lucknow (January 12–16), Ahmedabad (January 17–21), Bengaluru (January 22–25), and concludes in Mumbai (January 26–30).
For many players, this could be a career defining moment. Strong performances at these trials may lead to great opportunities, closer interaction with franchise coaches, and potential consideration in future WPL auctions. More importantly, it places young fast bowlers directly on the radar of selectors and high-performance staff.
Recent breakthroughs in Indian women’s cricket highlight how quickly fortunes can change. Players like Kranti Gaud, who impressed with a remarkable international debut, are proof that structured pathways and timely opportunities can fast track talent.
WPL Speed Queen is more than a scouting drive, it is a statement of intent. As Indian women’s cricket looks to build a stronger, faster, and more balanced bowling attack, this initiative could unearth the next pace star ready to shine on the biggest stage. For young bowlers dreaming big, this is a great opportunity to showcase their talent and make it to the big stage.
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