“Yatra pratibha avsara prapnotihi,” a Sanskrit phrase, which translates to “Talent Meets Opportunity” – perfectly captures the essence of the rise of young superstars in the Women’s Premier League (WPL). This season has been a pure testament to the unfolding of blooming talent, as a fresh breed has stepped up on the pressurized stage, showcasing fearless attitude, audacious stroke play, and nerves of steel under tense situations.
These promising talents are not only making an impression but also influencing the direction of women’s cricket with their powerful batting displays and decisive bowling exploits. Their journey in the WPL proves that with the right platform, raw talent can transform into cricketing excellence. Here is the list of cricketers who have been on the money to make the most of their opportunity.
Delhi Capitals:
Niki Prasad
Teenager Niki Prasad, India’s U-19 World Cup-winning captain, has played in 2 outings for the Delhi Capitals. In the first game of the team’s campaign, she anchored the chase with an attentive innings of 35 off 33 against Mumbai Indians, guiding DC to a two-wicket win and bagging the Player of the Match award. Against UP Warriorz, her cameo of 18 off 10 provided a late injection, though her team fell short. With just two games so far, Niki has already showcased her temperament and adaptability, hinting at a vivid future in the WPL.
N. Charani
Hailing from Andhra Pradesh, Chirani made an instant impression in her first game for the team, playing against the deflated Royal Challengers Bengaluru in an away fixture. The 20-year-old made an instant impact with her spin, delivering an impressive four-over spell that saw her claim two wickets for 28 runs. The Challengers posted 147/5, but the total could have been higher if not for Chirani’s game-changing 17th over. She outfoxed Raghvi Bist with her flighted delivery, leading to a smart stumping, and later in the same spell, she sent power-hitter Richa Ghosh back for just five, shifting the momentum firmly in the home team’s favor.
Mumbai Indians:
Sanskriti Gupta
Sanskriti Gupta, the young right-arm off-break bowler, has made an impressive start with the ball for Delhi Capitals. She struck in her very first over against RCB, dismissing Kanika Ahuja while keeping things tight with figures of 1-3 in one over. Against UP Warriorz, she delivered a match-defining spell, taking 2-11 in two overs, including the prized wicket of Tahlia McGrath. With her ability to bowl in crunch moments and deceive top batters, Sanskriti is emerging as a valuable asset in DC’s spin attack.
G Kamalini
G Kamalini, India’s top scorer in the U-19 World Cup, has made a steady start for Mumbai Indians. On debut vs Gujarat Giants, she stayed unbeaten on 4*(1), while against RCB, her 11*(8) with a crucial boundary helped MI seal a last-over win. Though her opportunities have been brief, her composure under pressure hints at bigger knocks ahead.
UP Warriorz:
Shweta Sehrawat
Shweta Sehrawat has been a steady performer for UP Warriorz, delivering crucial middle-order knocks. Locking horns against Delhi Capitals, she sensibly anchored the innings with a composed 37 off 33, striking four boundaries and a maximum while building a key partnership with hitter Chinelle Henry. In the thriller against the Challengers, she ticked 31 off 25, again finding the ropes four times as UPW pushed the game down the wire with a historic super over in the WPL.
Kranti Goud
Goud delivered a match-winning spell for UP Warriorz against Delhi Capitals, dismantling their top order with 4-25 in four overs, leaving the batters in complete confusion. The right-arm medium pacer claimed the prized wickets of Meg Lanning, Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, and Jess Jonassen, turning the tide in the favour of her team. Her marquee spell played a key role in securing the victory, showcasing her ability to shine against the seniors of the game as well.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru:
Raghvi Bist
Raghav Bisht has been a reliable middle-order batter, stepping up when her team was in need of resurgence. Against Gujarat Giants, she played two composed knocks—25(27) and 22(19), the latter featuring a four and a six after the top order failed to contribute with runs. Against Delhi Capitals, she made a crucial 33(32), striking two sixes while building a key partnership with talismanic Ellyse Perry. Her ability to anchor the innings under pressure makes her a vital asset in the lineup and could well hold the key if RCB ought to make a comeback after four straight losses.
Prema Rawat
Prema Rawat, the promising right-arm leg-spinner, made an impact against Gujarat Giants by dismissing Beth Mooney. Though she had a brief spell, her ability to trouble top batters highlights her potential as a key spin option for her team.
Gujarat Giants:
Kashvee Gautam
Kashvee Gautam has been the best performer from the younger generation, making a strong knock at the door of Indian selectors. Her consistent performances include 4-15-1 vs UPW, 3-15-2 against MI, and 4-17-1 in a winning effort vs RCB. Even in Gujarat Giants’ loss to DC, she stood out with 4-26-2, while getting no support from the other end. With her control and wicket-taking ability, Kashvee is emerging as a future star of Indian cricket.
Priya Mishra
Priya Mishra has been a standout performer with the ball, delivering key breaks for her team. Against UP Warriorz, she registered 4-25-3, dismissing big batters like Deepti Sharma, Tahlia McGrath, and Grace Harris. She followed it up with a crucial two-wicket haul against Mumbai Indians, removing opener Yastika Bhatia and the dangerous looking Nat Sciver-Brunt. Her knack for picking big wickets makes her a valuable asset in the attack.
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