The much-anticipated third season of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) is set to commence on February 14, 2025, bringing a fresh wave of excitement for cricket enthusiasts. This edition marks a historic shift as, for the first time, matches will be played across four different cities. The tournament kicks off at the VCA Stadium in Vadodara, where the first six matches will be held. The action then moves to Bengaluru for the next eight fixtures, followed by four matches each in Lucknow and Mumbai.
Over the past two seasons, the WPL has unearthed remarkable young talents, with Yastika Bhatia claiming the Emerging Player award in 2023, followed by Shreyanka Patil in 2024. As we look ahead to the new season, several rising stars are poised to make their mark on the league.
Five Emerging Talents to Watch Out for in WPL 2025:
G Kamalini – Mumbai Indians
At just 16 years old, Tamil Nadu’s G Kamalini is already making waves as a promising left-handed batter. She was the standout performer in the Women’s U-15 Day Trophy (2022-23), accumulating 458 runs in eight matches to finish as the tournament’s highest run-scorer. Her exceptional form carried over to the U-19 Triangular Series, where she represented India-W U-19 B. One of her most remarkable performances was an 80-run knock off 61 balls against India Women U-19 A.
Kamalini, a versatile wicketkeeper-batter, entered the WPL 2025 auction with a base price of ₹10 lakh but secured a lucrative deal worth ₹1.6 crore with Mumbai Indians. She showcased her talent on the international stage, scoring 143 runs at an average of 35.75. Her defining moment came in the semi-final against England, where she guided India’s chase with a match-winning 56 off 50 balls*, securing their spot in the final.
Prema Rawat – Royal Challengers Bengaluru
Among the most sought-after players in the auction, 23-year-old leg-spin all-rounder Prema Rawat from Uttarakhand became a prized acquisition for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). A fierce bidding war with Delhi Capitals saw her being snapped up for INR 1.2 crore. Rawat made headlines during the Uttarakhand Premier League (UPL) 2024, where she played a crucial role in leading Mussoorie Thunders to victory. She was named Player of the Match in the final, thanks to her all-round heroics, which included an unbeaten 32 runs and a stellar economy rate of 4.08 throughout the tournament.
In domestic cricket, Rawat has continued to impress, bagging 29 wickets across four competitions. She finished as the joint-third highest wicket-taker (10) in the One-Day Challenger Trophy while also making an impact with the bat. Her standout innings included an unbeaten 47 against Odisha in the Senior Women’s One-Day Trophy. A dependable fielder, she also took 19 catches and executed multiple runouts, making her an asset for RCB.
Raghvi Bist – Royal Challengers Bengaluru
Another exciting addition to RCB’s squad is 20-year-old Raghvi Bist, who earned her place in the Indian national team after an impressive domestic season. She made her T20I debut in December 2024 against the West Indies and quickly made an impact. In only her second T20I, she played a dynamic 31 off 22 balls*, showcasing her ability to perform under pressure.
Bist’s journey to the WPL was fueled by stellar performances on India A’s tour of Australia, where she emerged as the leading run-scorer in the three-day matches. Her consistency saw her score 205 runs, including three successive half-centuries, with the best score of 82. She also made significant contributions in domestic T20 competitions, scoring 158 runs in the Senior Women’s T20 Trophy 2023 and 162 runs in the T20 Challenger Trophy 2023. Bought for her base price of ₹10 lakh, Bist is expected to be a key player in RCB’s campaign.
Nandini Kashyap – Delhi Capitals
A rising star in Uttarakhand’s batting lineup, 21-year-old Nandini Kashyap has been making her presence felt with consistent performances across formats. She was the top scorer for Uttarakhand in the Senior Women’s T20 Trophy 2023, finishing as the third-highest run-getter overall with 247 runs in seven innings. Her innings included a century, and she averaged 41 in the tournament.
Her form carried over to the Senior Women’s One-Day Trophy 2023, where she amassed 230 runs in five matches, including two half-centuries. Although she earned a spot in the Indian national squad, she has yet to make her debut in the playing XI. Kashyap was acquired by Delhi Capitals for her base price of ₹10 lakh and will be eager to prove herself on the big stage.
Simran Shaikh – Gujarat Giants
Simran Shaikh, a Mumbai-based all-rounder, turned out to be the biggest buy of the WPL 2025 auction, with Gujarat Giants securing her services for a whopping INR 1.9 crore. Having previously been part of the UP Warriorz squad in 2023, she was released after an underwhelming season where she managed just 29 runs in nine matches, with a highest score of 11.
After going unsold in the 2024 auction, Shaikh made a remarkable comeback, impressing in Mumbai’s local leagues and earning a place in the city’s U-19 women’s team. She rediscovered her form in the Senior Women’s T20 Trophy (October-November 2024), where she scored 176 runs in 11 matches at an average of 22, with a strike rate of 100.57. Now with Gujarat Giants, she has a golden opportunity to revive her WPL career and prove her worth as a middle-order batter.
Defending champions Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) will lock horns with Gujarat Giants (GG) in the season opener at BCA Stadium, Vadodara, on February 14, setting the stage for what promises to be an electrifying tournament.
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