In the active world of Indian women’s cricket, the year 2023 saw a fantastic show of talent, with young cricketers making a lasting impact on the field. From the first Women’s Premier League (WPL) to the historic Test victory against England, these up-and-coming stars brightened the cricketing scene with their excellent performances. Let’s explore the profiles of the top five promising Indian women cricketers who stood out in 2023.
Kashvee Gautam
Kashvee Gautam, the right-arm seam bowler, made history in the WPL as the most expensive uncapped player, securing a significant Rs 2 crore deal with Gujarat Giants. Known for her exceptional bowling skills, she first caught attention in 2020 with a stunning ten-wicket haul, including a hat-trick, in a women’s domestic U19 competition. Gautam’s standout performances earned her a spot in the Women’s T20 Challenge, showcasing her promise for the national side.
Shreyanka Patil
Shreyanka Rajesh Patil, born in 2002, has been a standout performer as a right-arm medium pacer for Karnataka and Royal Challengers Bangalore. Notable achievements include being the second-highest wicket-taker in the Women’s Senior One Day Trophy 2022-23 and representing India in the Women’s Caribbean Premier League (WCPL). With consistent performances, Shreyanka secured a spot in the Indian women’s T20 series against England, displaying her wicket-taking prowess.
Vrinda Dinesh
Vrinda Dinesh, the 22-year-old batter, showcased her batting prowess during the domestic season with Karnataka. With UP Warriorz securing her for a significant Rs 1.3 crore at the WPL auction, Vrinda has established herself as one of the prolific scorers, contributing significantly to Karnataka’s success in the Senior Women’s one-day tournament. As she steps into the WPL, anticipation surrounds her potential contributions to both India and her franchise.
Shubha Satheesh
Shubha Satheesh, a debutant for India, made a memorable entry in her first Test match against England in Navi Mumbai. The left-handed batter scored an impressive half-century, becoming India’s second-fastest women’s player to achieve this milestone in Test cricket. Recently roped in by Royal Challengers Bangalore for Rs 10 lakhs at the WPL auction, Shubha Satheesh is poised to be a promising prospect for India.
Saika Ishaque
A 28-year-old left-arm spinner, debuted against England in the T20 series. Despite not being the youngest, her cricketing career is in its youthful phase. In the WPL’s inaugural season, Ishaque played a pivotal role in Mumbai Indians’ triumph, showcasing her spin prowess with 9 wickets in 8 matches. Transitioning to international cricket, Saika’s debut series against England highlighted her potential as a wicket-taking force for the future.
