In the ever-evolving world of cricket, stories of determination and triumph continue to inspire. One such remarkable journey is that of Kashvee Gautam, a young fast-bowling sensation who has scripted an incredible comeback after a long injury layoff.
From being the most expensive uncapped player in the 2024 Women’s Premier League (WPL) auction to missing the entire season due to injury, Kashvee has now returned stronger than ever, leaving batter’s clueless with her lethal in-swingers.
Her journey, however, has been anything but easy. A stress fracture in her landing foot’s fifth metatarsal forced her out of competitive cricket for nearly 10 months. It was a testing period, but Kashvee made the most of it. Instead of dwelling on setbacks, she focused on refining her skills, working on her fitness, and building her mental strength. She credits her family, coaches, and wellness coach Sanjeevan for standing by her side, ensuring she never felt alone during her recovery. However, one name stands out—Kanika Ahuja.
The two close friends found themselves in similar circumstances, with Kanika also suffering a stress fracture in her back, ruling her out of the 2024 WPL. Their shared struggles became a pillar of strength, as they promised each other to stay resilient and make their comebacks count.
When Kashvee finally stepped onto the field for the 2025 WPL season, she had a point to prove. And she did just that. She has been among the most dangerous bowlers in the tournament, with nine wickets at an average of 11.77 and an economy of just 5.30, making her the second-leading wicket-taker after Renuka Singh Thakur’s 10 wickets.
In Gujarat Giants’ emphatic 81-run victory over UP Warriorz in Match 15, Kashvee once again proved why she is one of the most exciting young fast bowlers in India. She ripped through the Warriorz batting lineup, returning figures of 3/11 in just three overs, ensuring her team jumped from fifth to second place on the points table.
Speaking about her strategy in that match, Kashvee kept it simple. She said, “The plan was pretty simple—just keep the stumps in play. No matter what variation I bowled, whether it was a slower one or a cross-seam delivery, the aim was to keep it wicket-to-wicket.”
Her ability to swing the ball prodigiously and hit the right lengths made life miserable for the batters. Her first victim was Vrinda Dinesh, who misjudged a sharp in-swinger while attempting a scoop shot. Then, in the 17th over, after conceding a boundary to Uma Chetry, she struck twice in successive deliveries, dismissing Chetry and Gouher Sultana, sealing UPW’s fate.
While Kashvee shone with the ball, Harleen Deol played a crucial supporting role in Gujarat’s dominant win. Batting alongside Beth Mooney (96* off 59 balls), Harleen scored a vital 45 off 32 balls, stitching together a 101-run second-wicket partnership that laid the foundation for GG’s massive total of 186/5.
Harleen, however, credits an unexpected source for her success—Kashvee Gautam!
“I’d actually like to start by talking about my bat selection first (laughs). I was struggling to decide which bat to use because none seemed to be working for me. Then Kashvee stepped in and said, ‘Ye waala leke jao.’ So, I’d like to give her credit for that! Batting with Beth is always easier—she’s experienced and knows exactly how to pace the game.”
Her knock was a mix of power and precision, including a stylish aerial sweep off Grace Harris and some exquisite off-side drives. She was particularly impressed with her footwork against pace, finding gaps with ease before eventually falling to Sophie Ecclestone.
Despite her sensational performances, Kashvee remains deeply reflective about her journey. The injury phase wasn’t just a test of her physical endurance but also her mental resilience. She learned valuable lessons about handling setbacks, managing expectations, and maintaining a strong mindset.
When Harleen recalled their conversation from the previous season, she highlighted Kashvee’s unwavering faith, “I remember during the last WPL (in 2024), when I heard about your injury, I called you. You were really upset, but I had this strong belief that you’d make a strong comeback. You’re someone who has immense faith in God. Would you like to share the meaning behind your Instagram bio?”
Kashvee’s response was a testament to her belief in destiny and perseverance, “My Insta bio says, ‘Khub laga lo pehre, raste rab khole,’ which means no matter what obstacles come your way, what’s meant for you will always find you. That injury phase taught me a lot, but I had my coaches and my family by my side, so I never let it affect me mentally.”
Even before her standout performance against UPW, Kashvee had been quietly making waves in WPL 2025. Her previous spells read, 0/22 and 1/17 vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru, 1/15 vs UP Warriorz, 2/15 vs Mumbai Indians, and 2/26 vs Delhi Capitals.
Her ability to swing the ball prodigiously has been a major talking point, with batters struggling to counter her lethal inswingers. She has already dismissed some of the biggest names in the league, including Meg Lanning, Harmanpreet Kaur, Amelia Kerr, and Richa Ghosh.
Before returning to WPL, she made a triumphant appearance in the Senior Women’s ODI Challenger Trophy, where her team finished as champions. She also finished with the third-best economy rate of 3.85 in the competition.
She was Gujarat Giants’ 2-crore buy in 2024, but fate had other plans. Instead of making her debut, she spent months on the sidelines, watching from a distance. But now, she’s back—faster, stronger, and hungrier than ever.
(Quotes sourced from video posted by WPLT20 on Instagram)
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