The Women’s Premier League (WPL) has quickly change into the last word launchpad for teenage prodigies, proving that age isn’t any barrier to world-class expertise. Since its inception in 2023, the league has constantly lowered the bar for entry, offering a worldwide stage for gamers who’ve barely completed highschool.
The introduction of Deeya Yadav in 2026 has reset the document books, marking a brand new period of youth dominance within the match. These kids aren’t simply making up the numbers; they’re receiving caps from legends and dealing with the quickest bowlers on this planet with fearless intent. From record-breaking leg-spinners to explosive openers, the WPL’s youngest debutants are the way forward for the worldwide sport. Because the 2026 season kicks off, the highlight shines brighter than ever on these 5 exceptional athletes who redefined what it means to be knowledgeable cricketer at sixteen.
Prime 5 youngest debutants in WPL historical past ft. Deeya Yadav
1. Deeya Yadav (Delhi Capitals) – 16 Years and 103 Days:
Deeya created historical past on January 20, 2026, by changing into the youngest participant to ever characteristic in a WPL match. Making her debut for the Delhi Capitals towards the Mumbai Indians on the DY Patil Stadium, the Haryana-based batting sensation changed Minnu Mani within the XI. Deeya, who first made headlines with an unbeaten 213 in an Underneath-15 match, confirmed immense composure on her debut. Though the stress of the large stage was excessive, her inclusion as a major opener alongside her function mannequin, Shafali Verma, indicators the Capitals’ long-term belief in her explosive ‘fearless stroke-play’ approach.
2. G. Kamalini (Mumbai Indians) – 16 Years and 213 Days:
Till Deeya’s debut, G. Kamalini held the distinguished title of the league’s youngest debutant. She earned her maiden cap for the Mumbai Indians on February 18, 2025, in a high-voltage conflict towards the Gujarat Giants. A left-handed wicketkeeper-batter from Tamil Nadu, Kamalini introduced her arrival in model by smashing a boundary off the very first ball she confronted in skilled franchise cricket. Her debut efficiency was marked by electrical vitality on the sphere and a composed unbeaten 4 to complete the sport, justifying the large ₹1.6 crore price ticket Mumbai paid for her providers on the 2025 public sale.
3. Shabnam Shakil (Gujarat Giants) – 16 Years and 263 Days:
Shabnam Shakil was the standout younger pacer of the 2024 season, debuting for the Gujarat Giants at simply 16 years of age. A product of India’s U-19 World Cup-winning squad, her debut towards Royal Challengers Bengaluru was a masterclass in tempo bowling. She grabbed fast consideration by dismissing elite worldwide stars like Alyssa Healy and Chamari Athapaththu in her opening spells towards UP Warriorz. Her efficiency of three/11 stays one of the economical and impactful spells by a young person within the match’s historical past, proving that she may deal with probably the most aggressive batters on this planet with ease.
Additionally READ: Meet 16-year-old Deeya Yadav: WPL’s youngest-ever debutant fondly known as ‘Chhoti Shafali’
4. Parshavi Chopra (UP Warriorz) – 16 Years and 312 Days:
Parshavi Chopra was the youngest specialist spinner to debut within the inaugural 2023 season. Representing the UP Warriorz, the leg-spinner made her first look towards the Mumbai Indians. Impressed by Shane Warne, Parshavi displayed exceptional maturity, utilizing her flight and misleading googlies to stifle senior worldwide batters. In her debut marketing campaign, she picked up three wickets in 4 innings, together with a important spell of two/29 towards Gujarat Giants the place she maintained an financial system price below seven in the course of the center overs. Her debut was a testomony to her transition from a medium-pacer to certainly one of India’s most promising wrist-spinners.
5. Alice Capsey (Delhi Capitals) – 18 Years and 205 Days:
Whereas barely older than the Indian trio, Alice Capsey’s debut in 2023 was a landmark second for abroad kids within the WPL. Debuting for the Delhi Capitals towards Royal Challengers Bengaluru, she proved precisely why she was a ‘teenage famous person’ in England. In her very first outing, she showcased her all-round utility by taking essential wickets and enjoying a high-impact cameo with the bat. Her debut efficiency solidified her spot within the Capitals’ XI, and he or she went on to change into a mainstay for the crew, scoring over 400 runs in her first two seasons and setting the gold normal for worldwide recruits.
Additionally READ: Shreyanka Patil returns as India Women name white ball squads for Australia tour
This text was first printed at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times firm.
