Women’s cricket in India has seen remarkable progress and a surge of fresh talent—17 new debutants joining the ODI squad since December 2023. It’s clear that fresh talents are being nurtured and trusted. As a spectator of women’s cricket, we find this shift both exciting and intriguing—filled with potential, unpredictability, and a lot of promise.
But this also raises a few important questions: Are we ready to rely on such a young, relatively inexperienced core heading into a high-stakes tournament like the World Cup on the horizon?
Let’s dive deeper into each player and discuss whether this new wave of talent can carry India all the way.
Saika Ishaque (Left-arm Orthodox Spinner)
Saika gained prominence with her performances in the Women’s Premier League, where she stood among the top wicket-takers, picking up 25 wickets in 22 matches. However, this youngster is yet to make her mark in the international format.
Shreyanka Patil (All-Rounder)
Shreyanka made heads turn with her ability to take crucial wickets and also be a handy lower-order batter. In 2023, the all-rounder made her ODI debut against Australia. She showcased her bowling prowess, picking up 5 wickets in 3 ODIs.
Mannat Kashyap (Left-arm Orthodox Spinner)
Kashyap is a promising left-arm spinner and has been a consistent performer in domestic circuits. Her variations and control can make her a good potential for the middle overs.
S Asha (Leg-spinner)
Asha has been instrumental in domestic tournaments, showcasing her wicket-taking abilities. The all-rounder has played 2 WODIs and has already picked up 4 wickets. Her variations and ability to dismantle batters can make her a valuable addition.
Arundhati Reddy (Right-arm Medium Pacer)
Reddy made her ODI debut this year. In 8 ODIs, she has taken 11 wickets. Her experience and consistency make her a reliable option.
Tejal Hasabnis (All-Rounder)
Hasabnis has been a good performer in domestic cricket—she has scored over 1,800 runs in Women’s List A matches and has also struck three centuries and 12 half-centuries.
Saima Thakor (Right-arm Medium Pacer)
Thakor is a right-arm medium pacer who represents Uttar Pradesh Warriorz in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) and also plays for Mumbai’s women’s cricket team in domestic cricket. She set a record ninth-wicket partnership with Radha Yadav, scoring 70 runs—the highest for India in women’s ODIs.
Priya Mishra (Leg-spinner)
In her initial 9 ODIs, she has taken 15 wickets, showcasing her effectiveness in the middle overs. Her leg-spin and variations make her a potent weapon against both right-handed and left-handed batters.
Titas Sadhu (Right-arm Medium Pacer)
The young right-arm medium pacer has played 8 ODIs, taking 6 wickets with best figures of 2/42. Her ability to generate pace and bounce makes her a valuable asset, especially in conditions that favor seamers.
Minnu Mani (All-Rounder)
Minnu is the first woman from Kerala to play in the WPL and T20Is for India. Minnu has been recognized for her strong performances in domestic cricket, including the Senior Women’s One Day Trophy.
Pratika Rawal (Batter)
Rawal has had a remarkable start to her ODI career. She became the fastest woman to reach 500 ODI runs in just 8 innings, surpassing Charlotte Edwards’ record. Her highest score is 154 against Ireland.
Tanuja Kanwar (Left-arm Orthodox Spinner)
She is known for her bowling style and her ability to contribute with both bat and ball. She has taken impressive hauls in the past, including a four-wicket haul in the 2019 Women’s Emerging Teams Asia Cup final.
Sayali Sathgare (Right-arm Medium Pacer)
Sayali is a specialized all-rounder who bats aggressively as a right-handed batter and is a handy right-arm medium pacer. Her consistent line and length, combined with the ability to swing the ball, make her a potential asset.
Kashvee Gautam (Right-arm Medium Pacer)
Kashvee gained prominence after taking all 10 wickets in a one-day match during the U-19 tournament. She continues to be a promising talent for the future.
Sree Charani (Spinner)
Sree Charani made her debut in the tri-series against Sri Lanka, taking 2/26. Her variation and performance indicate potential as a reliable spinner in the squad.
Shuchi Upadhyay (All-Rounder)
Shuchi has been a consistent performer in domestic cricket, contributing with her bowling ability. Her capability of adding variation and depth to the team is noteworthy.
Kranti Goud (Right-arm Medium Pacer)
Kranti made her ODI debut against Sri Lanka. She also took 4 wickets in the final of the 2024-25 Senior Women’s One Day Trophy against Bengal. Her pace and ability to deliver under pressure could be crucial in high-stakes matches.
This youth revolution could unearth match-winners who aren’t in the radar of global teams yet. Nurturing these talents with clarity and guidance from the senior core is essential for the squad to peak crucial wins. Indian selectors finally seem to be building this squad with intent for the long term. If this pays off, we may look back at this period as the defining moment of India’s ODI evolution.
With the World Cup on the horizon, this influx of debutants can be seen as a calculated risk. The fresh energy and diverse skills could well be the spark India needs to break past its semi-final hurdles of past campaigns. The key, therefore, lies in striking the right balance: blending youth with seasoned players holding leadership and a settled core as the tournament nears.
The next few months will be crucial in determining which side of history this bold experiment will fall on. The conversation around India’s World Cup squad just got a whole lot more interesting.
