In recent times, the Indian women’s squad grabbed headlines as they made history by clinching the Under-19 T-20 World Cup title. Deservingly so, they have been showered with love and support from all corners of the world. In the next 10 days, 4 players from the victorious squad will feature in the much-anticipated Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025. Joshitha VJ, G Kamalini, Shabnam Shakil and Niki Prasad will don the franchise jerseys and look to fire in an entertainment-packed tournament.

G Kamalini – Mumbai Indians
G Kamini, a left-handed opening batter from Tamil Nadu, finished as the third-highest run getter in the recently concluded World Cup. She smashed 143 runs in seven innings at an average of 47.66. The 16-year-old was roped in by inaugural WPL champions Mumbai Indians for Rs 1.60 crore in the auction shortly after her 29-ball 44 innings against Pakistan in the U-19 Asia Cup.

Kamalini set the stage on fire during the Women’s Under-19 T20 Trophy, averaging 62.20, which included a century as well. Her parents moved from Madurai to Chennai to support their children’s aspirations, and Kamalini, who was initially keen about skating, followed in her brother’s footsteps by taking up cricket.
Niki Prasad – Delhi Capitals
The skipper of the triumphant Under-19 World Cup squad, Niki Prasad, led an invincible India to a historic world title. In the Women’s Under 19 T-20 Challenger Trophy, Prasad was the highest run-getter with 162 runs in 4 innings – amassing the record with a blistering average of 81. It was a major setback for a younger Niki to miss out on a selection opportunity for the 2023 ICC Women’s Under-19 World Cup. But with her undying determination and a never-say-die attitude, Prasad etched history and successfully helped India to defend the prized title.

Joshitha V – Royal Challengers Bengaluru
Joshitha VJ was picked by the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the 2025 WPL Auction for Rs. 10 lakhs. Her disciplined trajectories during the Under-19 T20 World Cup helped her to maintain an economy rate of under five runs an over. Though she may not have enjoyed a good Women’s Under-19 T20 Challenger Trophy, having taken just three wickets in four outings, she would love to turn the tables with the experience of an international world tournament behind her.

Shabnam Shakil – Gujarat Giants
A right-arm-medium-fast bowler, Shabnam Shakil was retained by the Gujarat Giants at a price of Rs. 10 lakhs. The Visakhapatnam-born player bowled 17 overs in seven games at an economy rate of just over 4 runs per over, with the best figures of 2/9 during the Under-19 World Cup. Her finest performance in WPL 2024 came against the UP Warriorz where she recorded figures of 3/11.

These teenagers have put in the hard yards on the international circuit in their respective age group. With the craze for the WPL soaring high, the girls couldn’t have asked for a better platform to showcase their talent and learn from the best in the business.

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